Solvation Dynamics in Nonaqueous Reverse Micelles

Abstract

We have investigated the solvation dynamics of methanol and acetonitrile in reverse micelles for the first time. The solvation dynamics of both methanol and acetonitrile in reverse micelles show nonexponential features and unusual slow solvation components (from a few hundreds of picosecond to several nanoseconds). Interestingly, the solvation dynamics of methanol in reverse micelles becomes faster with a larger ratio of polar solvent to surfactant ( w = [polar solvent]/[Aerosol OT]) of micelles. However, the w dependence of the solvation dynamics of acetonitrile in reverse micelles is not observed. The different w dependence of solvation dynamics in methanol and acetonitrile within reverse micelles should be arising from the presence of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding network.