pH and Redox Dual-Stimulated Wormlike Micelles Based on Cystamine and Conventional Anionic Surfactant

Abstract

Redox-responsive soft materials have attracted considerable concerns throughout the last few decades. Herein, we report the preparation of dual-stimulated wormlike micelles (WLMs) based on N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylcystamine dihydrochloride (TMCDD) and a conventional anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The WLMs can be reversibly switched on and off by adjusting pH, resulting from the reversible protonation of TMCDD. Moreover, the WLMs can be destroyed by a redox reaction after addition of dithiothreitol (DTT), originating from the cleavage of the disulfide bonds in TMCDD. The dual responsiveness of the WLMs allowed for the smart control of the “sol–gel” transition or thickening of viscoelastic solutions, and the micelles will have a wider range of applications in the development of functional materials for pharmaceutical or biomedical materials.

Control of Both Ionic Properties and Micellar Structure for Enhanced Turbulent Drag Reduction Performance of Surfactant Solutions

“…Related research , has shown that the variation of the solution pH would change the CMC of the surfactant; the number of micelles formed in the solution would also change at a constant concentration. In addition, the micellar structure of surfactant molecules will also change as pH varies. − Therefore, it is assumed that the variation in micelle structure is the main reason for the change in surfactant DR effect with the pH value of the solution. To better clarify the influence of solution pH on surfactant micelles and further understand the influencing mechanisms of pH value on DR performance of surfactant solutions, the CMCs of surfactant solutions under different solution pH values was also experimentally investigated, and the results are shown in Figure .…”

Light-Triggered Rheological Changes in a System of Cationic Wormlike Micelles Formulated with a Photoacid Generator

“…Because of these viscoelastic properties, WLMs find application as drag reducing agents, in enhanced oil recovery, in home and personal care products, and more. 16−18 More interestingly, WLMs can be made responsive to external stimuli such as light, 19−24 temperature, 23,25,26 pH, 23,27−31 CO 2 , 21,32−34 redox reaction, 35,36 and even a combination of stimuli. 21,23,37 These systems, called "smart" WLMs, 38 have a common feature in that the stimulus causes a drastic change in the size (contour length) of the WLM chains.…”

“…More interestingly, WLMs can be made responsive to external stimuli such as light, − temperature, ,, pH, ,− CO 2 , ,− redox reaction, , and even a combination of stimuli. ,, These systems, called “smart” WLMs, have a common feature in that the stimulus causes a drastic change in the size (contour length) of the WLM chains. In turn, the rheological properties of the WLM solution such as its zero-shear viscosity (η 0 ) or its relaxation time (τ R ) can be varied by orders of magnitude.…”