A study of the micellization of zirconyl 2-ethyl hexanoate via small-angleneutron and X-ray scattering

We report the first investigation of zirconyl 2-ethyl hexanoate micelles in decane using small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering. Our results show th at the micelles have a spherical shell structure consisting of an inner cor e region with a radius of 6.3 Angstrom that is surrounded by a shell 5.3 An gstrom thick incorporating the surfactant chain segments. From the contrast variation experiment, we calculated there were 33 surfactant molecules/mic elle. Finally, our small-angle neutron scattering experiments performed at 80 degrees C showed there was no change in the shape or size of the micelle s at the higher temperature.