Watching photo-sensitive surfactant micelles morph in real time using SANS
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Date
2016-11-29
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Publisher
Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Abstract
Recent interest has surged in colloidal and self-assembling systems that can respond to internal and external stimuli. Of the possible response mechanisms, light is seen as a clean and low energy ‘reagent’ for stimulating physical and chemical changes. We have recently synthesized a library of light-addressable surfactant molecules based around the photo isomerisable azobenzene core, coupled to sugar head-groups [1]. Depending on their molecular geometry, these molecules self-assemble into a wide variety of micellar
structures, from small spheres to worms, fibres and liquid crystals, and the diversity of this self-assembly is uncovered using small-angle neutron scattering. By using time-resolved SANS, we can watch as the micelles change their shape in real time as the molecules undergo photo-isomerisation, pointing to applications in the delivery of sensitive cargoes, and the modulation of biological and cellular processes.
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Keywords
Reagents, Surfactants, Molecules, Micellar systems, Small angle scattering, Modulation, Liquid crystals
Citation
Tabor, R. F., Wilkinson, B. L., & Garvey, C. J. (2016). Watching photo-sensitive surfactant micelles morph in real time using SANS. Paper presented at 13th AINSE-ANBUG Neutron Scattering Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 29-30 November 2016.