Supramolecular systems based on dicationic pyrimidine-containing surfactants and polyethyleneimine

Aggregates based on a novel pyrimidine-containing amphiphile containing three uracil fragments were quantitatively characterized. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) is 2 mmol L–1 and the degree of binding of counterions is β = 0.95, which is consistent with the low zeta potential of the micelles equal to +5 mV. Aggregates with a diameter of 45 nm are formed in the CMC region, and in the region of higher concentrations the aggregates are rearranged to micelle-like particles. In the presence of hydrophilic polymer polyethyleneimine, the CMC significantly decreases (to 0.2 mmol L–1), the degree of binding of counterions decreases, and the electrokinetic potential increases. The size of the aggregates in the binary system is 6—7 nm.