Control of mesostructure in self-assembled polymer/surfactant films by rational micelle design

Abstract

Micron-thick hydrogel films with ordered 3D mesostructures form spontaneously at the interface of polyelectrolyte–surfactant solutions. Here we demonstrate that by rationally designing the micelle shapes it is possible to predict and so tailor the nanostructure formed within surfactant–polyelectrolyte films. Using quaternary ammonium surfactants with a range of packing parameters, we demonstrate that micelle shape in solution governs the ordered liquid crystalline phase found in the polymer-surfactant composite films. Such structural control allows modification of film properties to potentially enhance their effectiveness for applications such as inorganic templating, encapsulation and molecular sensing.