Molecular Modulation of Surfactant Aggregation in Water: Effect of the Incorporation of Multiple Headgroups on Micellar Properties

Folding of hydrocarbon chains and reduction in micelle size are observed as the number of headgroups (h) on the new single-chain cationic surfactants increases from (h = 1) to bident (h = 2) or trident (h = 3, see picture). The aggregation number is dramatically decreased and the fractional charge on the micelle increases with the increase in the charge at the headgroup.