biostudies-literatureLu SNational Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)2314https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11890601biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Here are described the dilution-driven gel-sol-gel-sol transitions in aromatic hydrotrope/zwitterionic surfactant bi-component aqueous mixtures. Long and entangled wormlike micelles (WLMs) of concentrated erucyl dimethyl amidopropyl betaine (EAPB) solutions sequentially transform into hexagonal liquid crystal phase (H₁), highly concentrated spherical micelles (HCSMs), and finally hexagonal close packed micellar phase (HCP) upon gradual introducing an aromatic hydrotrope, sodium salicylate (NaSal). The HCP then successively converts into HCSMs, WLMs, and spherical micelles (SMs) upon further dilution with water, corresponding to a gel-sol-gel-sol transition. This dilution-induced HCSMs to WLMs transition results in an interesting thickening process, which is caused by a slow kineNature communicationsDilution-driven gel-sol-gel-sol transitions by the sequential evolution of surfactant micelles.PMC118906012207210922372125Liu YLi XDong JLu SfalseDilution-driven gel-sol-gel-sol transitions by the sequential evolution of surfactant micelles.Here are described the dilution-driven gel-sol-gel-sol transitions in aromatic hydrotrope/zwitterionic surfactant bi-component aqueous mixtures. Long and entangled wormlike micelles (WLMs) of concentrated erucyl dimethyl amidopropyl betaine (EAPB) solutions sequentially transform into hexagonal liquid crystal phase (H₁), highly concentrated spherical micelles (HCSMs), and finally hexagonal close packed micellar phase (HCP) upon gradual introducing an aromatic hydrotrope, sodium salicylate (NaSal). The HCP then successively converts into HCSMs, WLMs, and spherical micelles (SMs) upon further dilution with water, corresponding to a gel-sol-gel-sol transition. This dilution-induced HCSMs to WLMs transition results in an interesting thickening process, which is caused by a slow kine2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-04-04T08:23:16.872Z2025-04-04T08:23:16.872ZS-EPMC118906014005747610.1038/s41467-025-57686-w