Next generation surfactants and complex fluids

This project aims to provide the next generation of surfactants for applications in agriculture and energy, along with the fundamental science required to understand and deploy them. A novel range of new molecules have be designed based around the versatile betaine core, and their synthesis endeavours to allow a systematic understanding of the relationships between molecular architecture, effectiveness and self-assembly behaviour. A key part of this strategy is to use molecules that can respond to light to understand why certain molecules tend to form valuable viscoelastic fluids. When used to form complex fluids with unique properties, these surfactants have potential applications as lubricants, dispersants and energy fluids.