Amphiphilic nanostructures in thin liquid films

A survey on recent experimental investigations of microscopic foam films containing self-assembled amphiphilic nanostructures is presented. The film characteristics are investigated via microinterferometric method, which operates with the measuring cell of Scheludko-Exerowa. The results show the following: (1) Unstable black patterns (dots and spots) are observed; they have very short lifetimes and the films which contain them rupture quickly. (2) Drainage times of the films display sharp changes within the studied surfactant concentration range. (3) The peculiarities in the film drainage properties are in accordance with the specific run of the adsorption isotherms of the initial surfactant solutions. The data are interpreted based on the assumption that a series of smaller self-assembled aggregates (premicelles) exist in amphiphilic solutions. The results show that the microscopic foam film technique has a serious potential as a prospective instrumentation for the study of amphiphilic self-assemblies in surfactant solutions.