Polymerization of Cationic Surfactant Films in Microemulsions

Abstract

Properties of microemulsion phases containing mixtures of polymerizable surfactants, single-chain 11-(methacryloyloxy)undecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and double-chain dodecyl-(11-(methacryloyloxy)undecyl)trimethylammonium bromide, and their acrylate analogues have been studied. SANS has shown how film composition, in terms of single-chain surfmer, can be used as a control variable to optimize phase behavior and physicochemical properties of these multi-component systems. A direct comparison between methacrylate and acrylate systems has shown how surfactant molecular structure can influence microemulsion structure; with methacrylates spherical droplets are formed, whereas with the acrylate analogues there is a transition to cylinders. Free-radical polymerization yield partially encapsulated aqueous domains with retention of parent structure.

Keywords:

• Microemulsions
• Micropolymerization
• Polymerizable surfactant
• 11-(Methacryloyloxy)undecyltrimethylammonium bromide
• Dodecyl-(11-(methacryloyloxy)undecyl)trimethylammonium bromide
• SANS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

MS acknowledges EPSRC for a Ph.D. studentship. We thank ISIS and ILL for an allocation of beam time and a grant towards consumables and travel.