The aggregation behavior of mixed systems of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) or sodium bis(4-phenylbutyl) sulfosuccinate (SBPBS) with nonionic surfactant pentaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether (C12E5) have been studied by means of steady-state fluorescence, electrical conductivity, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, electrophoretic light scattering and pyrene solubilization measurements. The critical concentrations for aggregation, micropolarity, mobility, solubilization capacity and morphology of aggregates are characterized. Two critical concentrations for aggregation are observed in the mixed surfactants, which may correspond to the formation of different kinds of aggregates. Moreover, it is more favorable for AOT-C12E5 to form mixed vesicles compared to SBPBS-C12E5 at higher mole fraction Of C12E5. In addition, it is revealed that SBPBS-C12E5 mixture has larger solubilization capacity for pyrene than AOT-C12E5 system. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.