Photoresponsive wormlike micelles

We have been examining photoresponsive materials which change micellar structure on irradiation. Irradiation leads to isomerisation, which then leads to a significant reduction in viscosity, implying a change in the self-assembled structure present. Gentle heating of the solution reverts the molecule to the trans-conformation, with a concomitant recovery of the viscosity. Addition of salts such as NaCl change the overall viscosity of the systems, implying that charge screening is leading to differences in the micellar aggregates formed. Here, we wish to understand these changes and the packing with the micellar aggregates on irradiation and heating.