Blastulae aggregates: New intermediate structures in the micelle-to-vesicle transition of catanionic systems

Abstract

A new type of intermediate structure was found in the salt-induced micelle-to-vesicle transition in a catanionic system composed of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SIDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in aqueous solution with an excess of anionic surfactant. The appearance of symmetrically shaped hollow structures, which we named blastulae vesicles, is presented. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.