Table 1.

Techniques employed in the characterization of self‐assembly properties in solutions of surface‐active compounds. These techniques are grouped by their functional use. Details relating to size range accessible; sample physical state; general accessibility to equipment and experimental complexity are also provided.

Information	Technique	Size domain	Physical state D: diluted C: concentrated	Level of accessibility	Level of analysis
Morphology & Size	SAXS	1–500 nm	D/C solution	Limited	Experienced
	SANS	1–500 nm	D/C solution	Very limited	Experienced
	SLS	200–1000 nm	D solution	Limited	Experienced
	Cryo‐TEM	nm to μm	D solution	Limited	Medium
	Optical microscopy	~ 200 nm–mm	D/C solution	Broad	Medium
	TEM	Å to μm	Powder	Medium	Beginner
	AFM	nm to μm	Powder	Medium	Medium
	SEM	> 100 nm	Powder	Medium	Medium
Size only	DLS	nm to ~ 1 μm	D solution	Broad	Medium
	Turbidimetry	nm to μm	D solution	Broad	Beginner
Structure	XRD/NeD	< 5 nm	D/C solution Powder	Broad/Limited	Medium
	WAXS	< 5 nm	D/C solution Powder	Limited/Very Limited	Medium
	PLM	~ 200 nm–mm	D/C solution	Broad	Medium
	CD	nm to μm	D solution	Medium	Beginner
	TEM	Å to μm	Powder	Medium	Beginner
	FTIR	< nm	Powder	Broad	Beginner
Dynamics	Neutron SE	Å to 100 nm	D/C solution	Very limited	Experienced
	NMR	< 1 nm	D solution	Broad	Experienced
Interactions	ITC	Å	D solution	Limited	Experienced
	WAXS	< 5 nm	D/C solution Powder	Limited/Very Limited	Experienced
	UV‐Vis	Å	D solution	Broad	Experienced
	CD	nm to μm	D solution	Medium	Experienced
	NMR	< nm	D solution	Broad	Experienced
	FTIR	< nm	Powder	Broad	Experienced
	ssNMR	< nm	Powder	Limited	Experienced