MICELLAR COMPOSITION HAVING SWITCHABLE VISCOSITY

摘要

The present application provides a micellar composition having switchable viscosity. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a micellar composition comprising: (a) a mixture of water and a switchable component comprising: (i) a non-switchable surfactant and a switchable water additive; (ii) a switchable anionic surfactant; or (iii) a switchable cationic surfactant; and (b) dissolved CO2 , wherein when the switchable component comprises a non-switchable surfactant and a switchable water additive or a switchable cationic surfactant, the dissolved CO2 is present at an amount sufficient to reversibly maintain at least a substantial portion of the switchable component in the form of wormlike micelles in the water and removal of the dissolved CO2 reversibly decreases viscosity of the mixture by disrupting the wormlike micelles and/or converting the wormlike micelles into spherical micelles, and wherein when the switchable component comprises a switchable anionic surfactant the dissolved CO2 is present at an amount sufficient to reversibly inhibit formation of wormlike micelles and removal of the dissolved CO2 reversibly increases viscosity of the mixture by causing the formation of wormlike micelles.