Morphology of polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) micelles in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide solutions

Abstract

The structures of micelles of the surfactant polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) in 0–50% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions (pH 7.2, ionic strength 2.44 mM) were investigated by means of small-angle X-ray scattering. At DMSO concentrations of 0–20%, core–shell cylinder micelles formed, and at 30–50% DMSO, core–shell discus micelles formed, that is, changing the hydrophobicity of the DMSO solvent mixture changed the micelles from core–shell cylinder micelles to core–shell discus micelles.