Recent advances in the mixed systems of bolaamphiphiles and oppositely charged conventional surfactants

Researches on the bolaamphiphiles have attracted considerable attentions in the last three decades. Among which, the mixed systems with conventional surfactants are of special interest. This review focuses on the recent advances in the research of the bolaamphiphile/oppositely charged conventional surfactant mixed systems. The following contents are covered: (1) surface properties, which include (i) the general properties of the mixed systems, (ii) the effect of rigid group on the surface properties, and (iii) the slow adsorption process of bolaamphiphiles on solid surface; (2) aggregation behaviors in the bulk solution, including (i) the superior vesicle formation ability, (ii) superior vesicle stability, (iii) dynamic morphology of the aggregates, and (iv) tunable morphologies; (3) perspective for the future. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.