Controlled Formation of Hydrated Micelles by the Intervention of Cyclodextrins

The interaction between surfactants and cyclodextrins (CDs) is well known. Studies have focused mainly on destruction of micelles with CDs to release the encapsulated drugs. However, less emphasis has been given on understanding the formation of micelles with the CD encapsulated surfactants. We have used fluorescence spectroscopy to study the impact of CDs on micelles using a fluorophore that has been tactically designed as a reporter. This molecule has a pyrene moiety on one end and a cationic head group on the other so that the orientation of the compound can be prefixed on micelle formation in aqueous environment. We have observed that the CD encapsulated surfactants can form "hydrated micelles" that allow extensive penetration of water molecules toward the core. The mechanism for such a process involves inclusion of the hydrophobic surfactant tails within the CD core and participation of these inclusion complexes in micelle formation. The process could be controlled by tuning the concentration of CD. The degree of hydration varies as the micelles get more opened up due to the residence of the CDs inside them.