Surfactants prepared by chemical modification of bile salts, e.g. sodium cholate derivatives, show a rich self-assembly in aqueous solution. The supramolecular structures formed range from small micelles, networks of thin threads (homogenous fibers), tubules, long (on the "μm" -mm length scale) rod-like objects (“poles”) to twisted ribbon-like structures. The formation of these assemblies depends on the kind of modification, pH and temperature. The temperature response is particularly interesting since it is fast and reversible. Cryo-TEM, circular dichroism, SAXS at MAX IV laboratory and light scattering techniques are employed to explore these various morphologies and the driving force of their formation. The formation of tubules occurs around body temperature and the tubules are further investigated using water-diffusion NMR.

People: Karin Schillén, L. Galantini and V. Pavel (University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy), Ulf Olsson, Daniel Topgaard. 

Contact Person: Karin Schillén