Cation isomerism effect on micellization of pyridinium based surface-active ionic liquids

•Micellization of N-dodecyl-pyridinium bromide and its methyl derivates is studied.•The influence of ortho-, meta- and para- position of methyl group was investigated.•The standard thermodynamic parameters of micellization process are derived.•To refine the experimental work, the molecular simulations were performed.