From micelle to microemulsion: an investigation of structural changes using molecular dynamics

Abstract

Objective Although a huge number of experimental works may be observed in the literature for microemulsions, modelling reports on
these nano-systems are rare. Additionally, no comprehensive work so far has detailed the changes occurring to a micellar droplet when oil
molecules are introduced (i.e. obtaining microemulsions from micelles). This work aimed to simulate a micelle and a microemulsion system
containing polysorbate 80 - as surfactant - and study the structural changes in the two systems.
Methods Molecular dynamics simulation employing a coarse-grained model was used.
Results The results showed that the oil molecules located in the hydrophobic core of the micelle make its size larger, while the co-surfactant
molecules distribute throughout the system and enter the hydrophilic shell of the micelle.
Conclusion It was shown that insertion of oil molecules makes the droplets more spherical, while co-surfactants tend to enlarge them.