Additive assisted micelle -to- vesicle transition in non-ionic mixed surfactant systems: Niosomes for fullerene C<inf>60</inf> encapsulation

We report here the highly stable niosomes (non-ionic vesicles) from 1:1 Tween-80/Triton X-100 mixed surfactants in presence of n-octanol as an organic additive. Niosomes of nanometer dimensions resulted at a total surfactant concentration ranging from 0.1-1 wt%. The critical concentration of the additive, n-octanol used to form niosomes was found to be 15 mM. The unilamellar vesicles thus formed had a mean diameter of ∼100 nm for 0.1 wt% and ∼300 nm for 1 wt% concentration. Phase evolution in the mixed 1:1 Tween-80/Triton X-100 surfactant system was unraveled upon investigating the morphology, based on microscopic and dynamic light scattering investigations. The formed vesicles are envisaged as probable potential drug carriers. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.