Salt‐Induced Microstructural Transitions in Aqueous Dispersions of Ionic‐Liquids‐Based Surfactants

Abstract

Abstract Applicability and performance ability of the surfactants are controlled through their aggregation behavior, which are modulated by employing external additives. In order to achieve favorable shape and sized nano‐aggregates, we have investigated the role of structure making hydrotop; sodium salicylate (NaSal) on the micellar transition of the functionalized and non‐functionalized ionic liquid based surfactants (ILBSs) (1‐hexadecyl‐3‐vinylimidazolium bromide and 1‐hexadecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide) in aqueous medium. The micelle to vesicle transitions in the studied systems is explored using viscosity, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements. For the first time we report the nano and micro‐structural aggregates of the vinylfunctionalized ILBSs with respect to the composition, and concentration of the additives; alkyl chain length and head group of ILBSs. Transmissions electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the formation of vesicles at high concentration of NaSal (∼1000 mM) for the vinylfunctionalized ILBS.