Effect of Increasing Concentration of Each of Three Polar Solvents (1,4-Dioxane, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, N,N-Dimethylformamide) on Changes in the Shape of Polysorbate 20 Micelles

• Published in: Journal of solution chemistry 2013-05, Vol.42 (4), p.882-893
• Main Authors: Aizawa, Hideki, Ichikawa, Sosaku
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Buffer solutions; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Dimethyl sulfoxide; Discs; Disks; Geochemistry; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Inorganic Chemistry; Micelles; Oceanography; Physical Chemistry; Sodium phosphate; Solvents; Surfactants
• ISSN: 0095-9782; 1572-8927
• DOI: 10.1007/s10953-013-9997-6

The effect of increasing concentration of each of three polar solvents [0–40 % (v/v) 1,4-dioxane, 0–40 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and 0–60 % (v/v) N , N -dimethylformamide (DMF)] on changes in the shape of the surfactant polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) micelles in the aqueous, polar solvent, sodium phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 7.2, ionic strength 2.44 mmol·L −1 ) were investigated by using small-angle X-ray scattering. The effect of increasing concentration of 1,4-dioxane is that the micelle shape changed from core–shell cylindrical micelles to core–shell disc micelles between concentrations of 10 and 20 % (v/v) 1,4-dioxane, and then from core–shell disc micelles to core–shell elliptic disc micelles between concentrations of 30 and 40 % (v/v) 1,4-dioxane. The effect of increasing concentration of DMSO is that the micelles changed from core–shell cylindrical micelles to core–shell disc micelles between concentrations of 0 and 10 % (v/v) DMSO. The effect of increasing concentration of DMF is that it changed the core–shell cylindrical micelles to core–shell disc micelles between concentrations of 30 and 40 % (v/v) DMF. The common effect is that the solvents shortened the height of the micelle, that is, they squashed the micelle. Moreover, the specific effect of 1,4-dioxane is that this solvent squashed and squeezed the micelle.