Very long threadlike micelles observed in aqueous solutions of some su
rfactants have attracted much attention because of the peculiar theolo
gical properties of these systems, Molecular dynamics simulations have
suggested that branched threadlike micelles should exist in concentra
ted solutions of dimeric surfactants. Here experimental evidence, obta
ined from transmission electron microscopy at cryogenic temperature, i
s presented of branched threadlike micelles in aqueous solutions of a
triquaternary ammonium (trimeric) surfactant made up of three amphiphi
lic moieties connected at the level of the headgroups by two propanedi
yl spacers.