Effects of temperature, salt, and deuterium oxide on the self-aggregation of alkylglycosides in dilute solution. 2. n-Tetradecyl-beta-D-maltoside.

The effects of salt, temperature, and deuterium oxide on the self-aggregation of n-tetradecyl-beta-d-maltoside (C(14)G(2)) in dilute solution have been investigated by static light scattering, dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), tensiometry, and capillary viscometry. SANS data show that the micelles can be described as relatively flexible polymer-like micelles with an elliptical cross section, at least at temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees C. The micelles grow in one dimension with increasing temperature and concentration. DLS and viscometry data suggest that the micelle size reaches a maximum at 60-70 degrees C. Comparison of DLS data in D(2)O and H(2)O shows that the micelles are larger in the former case. The effect of salt on the micelle size was found to follow the Hofmeister series. Thus, at constant salt concentration, the micelle size decreases according to the sequence SO(4)(2)(-) > Cl(-) > NO(3)(-) > I(-) > SCN(-), where I(-) and SCN(-) act as salting-in anions. From tensiometric data, it can be concluded that the temperature effects on micelle morphology do not correlate directly with those on unimer solubility. Rather, the temperature effect on the hydrocarbon chain conformation seems to be decisive for the micelle morphology. At constant temperature, on the other hand, the effect of salt and deuterium isotope is attributable to changes in effective headgroup area, including intermolecular interactions and water of hydration.