Transformation from precipitates to vesicles in mixed cationic and anionic surfactant systems

Self-organized assemblies in easily precipitated mixed surfactant systems [CmH2m+1N(CH3)(3)Br-C12H25SO4Na m = 8, 12, CnH2n+1NH2.HCl-C12H25SO4Na n = 8, 12] were investigated. Short-chained alcohols effectively improved the solubility of such systems and led to the dissolution of precipitation. Organized structures, such as bilayers or vesicles, could be observed under the transmission electron microscope when the volume ratio of alcohol was appropriate. Sonication could be used as a simple method to promote the formation of vesicles. Adjusting the molar ratio of cationic and anionic surfactants resulted in the construction of multilamellar vesicular structures.