Pressure-induced structural transition of nonionic micelles

We report dynamic light scattering and small angle neutron scattering studies of the pressure-induced structural transition of nonionic micelles of surfactant polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (C12E10) in the pressure range 0 to 2000 bar. Measurements have been performed on 1 wt% C12E10 in aqueous solution with and without the addition of KF. Micelles undergo sphere to lamellar structural transitions as the pressure is increased. On addition of KF, rod-like micelles exist at ambient pressure, which results in rod-like to lamellar structural transition at a much lower pressure in the presence of KF. Micellar structural transitions have been observed to be reversible.