Morphology of polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) micelles in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide solutions

Abstract

The structures of micelles of the surfactant polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) in 0-50% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions (pH 7.2, ionic strength 2.44 mM) were investigated by means of small-angle X-ray scattering. At DMSO concentrations of 0-20%, core-shell cylinder micelles formed, and at 30-50% DMSO, core-shell discus micelles formed, that is, changing the hydrophobicity of the DMSO solvent mixture changed the micelles from core-shell cylinder micelles to core-shell discus micelles. © 2010 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Singapore - all rights reserved.