Small Angle Neutron Scattering Study of the Micellization of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in Formamide

Abstract

We report here a small angle neutron scattering (SANS) study of the micellization of SDS in formamide. We show that a compound with a hydrophobic chain containing 12 carbon atoms forms micelles in formamide. The mechanism of self-association is in agreement with a multiple equilibrium model rather than a pseudophase model, as the aggregates were shown to increase in size over a large concentration domain. This was attributed to smaller solvophobic effects and lower interfacial energy in formamide than in water.