Micelle Structure in a Photoresponsive Surfactant with and without Solubilized Ethylbenzene from Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Photoresponsive micellar systems of 4-butylazobenzene-4'- (oxyethyl)trimethylammonium bromide (AZTMA) were examined with and without ethylbenzene using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Analysis of SANS profiles showed that an aqueous solution containing 5, 10, and 50 mM AZTMA forms prolate spheroids with a long radius (Ra) of 38 Å and a short radius (Rb) of 21 Å. In the 5 mM AZTMA solution, the concentration of micelles decreased upon UV light irradiation, while their size and shape remained almost unchanged. Subsequent visible light irradiation reversed the decrease and increased the number of micelles. In contrast, 10 and 50 mM AZTMA solutions showed that the number and long radius of the micelles decreased with UV light irradiation, while subsequent exposure to visible light irradiation restored them. For AZTMA micellar solutions equilibrated with excess ethylbenzene, the solubilized amount of ethylbenzene increased upon UV light irradiation due to enhanced swelling of the micelles with cis-AZTMA. This photoinduced uptake of the solubilizate has potential applicability for the collection and removal of hazardous oily substances.