Cryogenic wormlike micelles†
Abstract
Cryogenic wormlike micellar solutions which possess a freezing point far below 0 °C while retaining rheological properties similar to those of ordinary wormlike micellar solutions are fabricated from the self-assembly of a C22-tailed monounsaturated zwitterionic surfactant, erucyl dimethyl amidopropyl betaine, in an ethylene glycol/water co-solvent at subzero temperature. Such fluids may find potential applications in fields where viscoelasticity is highly desired at subfreezing temperatures.