Solvation Dynamics in Nonionic Reverse Micelles

Abstract

We report on solvation dynamics inside Brij-30/cyclohexane and Triton X-100/cyclohexane nonionic reverse micelles. Inside the reverse micelles, the polar solvation dynamics is substantially different from bulk water. Overall the solvation dynamics inside Triton X-100 is slower than the dynamics inside the Brij-30 reverse micelles. For comparison, the solvation dynamics of liquid tri(ethylene glycol) monoethyl ether (TGE) with different concentrations of water were also measured. These measurements show that the interaction of water with the polymer solution inside the nonionic reverse micelles plays a key role in immobilizing the water in the micellar interior. However, the reverse micellar structure also appears to affect the dynamics strongly.