CO₂ regulates phase transition of sodium oleate and 3-(diethylamino)-propylamine in aqueous solution

We reported that the phase conversion of the micelles in aqueous solution prepared by sodium oleate (NaOA) and 3-(diethylamino)-propylamine (DEAPA) in the presence of carbon dioxide. This micellar structure is very sensitive to CO₂ and the pH value of the solution is continuously reduced with the continuous introduction of carbon dioxide. When pH > 10.2, the mixed solution of NaOA and DEAPA is mainly in the form of spherical micelles; when the 10.2 > pH > 9.6, the mixed solution mainly in the worm-like micelles (WLM), where the solution has a significant viscosity change; when the 9.6 > pH > 9.1, the NaOA and DEAPA mixed solution becomes the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), which is composed of two layers, the upper layer is the vesicle structure and the lower layer is the WLM structure; when the pH between 9.1 > pH > 9.0, NaOA and DEAPA mixed solution form vesicles, thus realizing the regulation of CO₂ on the micellar structure transition of NaOA and DEAPA mixed solution. Such these microstructures transition could be confirmed by Rheology measurement, DLS and Cryo-TEM.