Surface ordering in dilute dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide solutions at the air-water interface

At elevated temperatures and in dilute solution, we have observed lamellar surface ordering at the air-water interface of dihexadecyl dimethylammonium bromide, DHDAB, in the presence of electrolyte. With increasing temperature, the onset in ordering is observed between 35 and 40 degrees C. At 40 degrees C, there is an abrupt change in the lamellar spacing, from approximately 33 to approximately 40 A. Furthermore, in the presence of the cosurfactant benzyl alcohol, the ordering occurs at a lower temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees C. The change in lamellar spacing with temperature is attributed to a surface-induced transition, similar to the Lbeta to Lalpha phase transition observed in bulk lamellar dispersions.