Responsive self-assemblies based on fatty acids

Fatty acids are anionic surfactants under their deprotonated forms. They are surfactants with both biodegrability and low toxicity. Fatty acid molecules can self-assemble under various shapes in an aqueous solution. These self-assembled structures can respond to stimuli such as pH, CO2 and temperature due to changes occurring at the molecular level. These specificities make them surfactants of special interest to tune the properties at a macroscopic scale. The aim of this article is to review the recent advances in the creation and in the understanding of responsive self-assemblies obtained from fatty acid molecules in an aqueous solution. The links between the microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic scales are described. The alkyl chain melting phenomenon triggered by temperature at the molecular level leading to thermoresponsive interfaces and foams at the macroscopic scale is highlighted.