I would like to know your opinion on producing more monodisperse micelle populations and also tricks to avoid size variability and improve the reproducibility of the manufacturing process?
Dear Miguel Pereira-Silva, after choosing the best experimental process, controlling seeding/nucleation and growth is the strategy mosltly used. LaMer's approach is an example. Please have a look at the following links. My Regards
Dear Miguel Pereira-Silva, this is a general question. Polydispersity and size variations in micelles can be reduced by optimizing the preparation conditions and adjusting the composition of the micellar system. However, you should change the experimental process based on your specific system. Generally, you may find the following efficient in obtaining a monodisperse system:
1. By adding a stabilizer to the micellar system you can improve the stability and reduce the polydispersity of the micelles. Stabilizers can prevent the aggregation of micelles and promote more uniform sizes.
2. You can use size-selective separation methods after synthesizing the micelles. You can use dialysis, size-exclusion chromatography, or ultracentrifugation.
Different molecules form different micelles with different polydispersity. Ionic surfactants form micelles with significant polydispersity, since the nuclear quantum effect contributes to their formation. Its consequences cannot be predicted. This is a quantum phenomenon. It gradually disappears with the addition of an inorganic electrolyte, and the micelles become more monodisperse. You can read about the nuclear quantum effect in
Preprint Nuclear quantum effect in aqueous micellar surfactant solutions
Preprint Supplementary information for Nuclear quantum effect in aque...