Comparison of morphology and mechanical properties of surfactant aggregates at water-silica and water-graphite interfaces from molecular dynamics simulations

Kunal Shah, Patrick Chiu, Susan B. Sinnott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cationic surfactants are important for a wide range of applications, including controlled drug delivery systems, emulsifiers, and chemical mechanical polishing. It is therefore important to better understand surfactant structure and properties at the solid-liquid interface. Here, classical molecular dynamics simulations with empirical potentials are used to compare the structures and mechanical properties of cationic surfactant micelles at hydrophobic (graphite) and hydrophilic (silica) surface-water interfaces. In particular, the morphology of monolayers and bilayers of C12TAB (n- dodecyltrimethylammoniumbromide) at these interfaces, and their responses to atomic force microscopy indentation, are examined. The simulations predict that surfactant monolayers and bilayers on silica evolve into a spherical micelle structure, in agreement with theoretical models of surfactant morphology. In contrast, surfactant monolayers on graphite evolve into a hemi-cylindrical structure, in agreement with experimental findings. In the simulated indentation of the micelle/silica system, the spherical micelle breaks apart and forms a surfactant monolayer. The indentation force curve has a maximum value of 2.25 nN. On the other hand, the simulated indentation of the micelle/graphite system causes the hemi-cylindrical micelle structure to break apart and the surfactant tails to wrap around the graphite indenter. The indentation force curve has a maximum value of 13 nN.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)342-349
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Colloid And Interface Science
Volume296
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of morphology and mechanical properties of surfactant aggregates at water-silica and water-graphite interfaces from molecular dynamics simulations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this