Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.192, No.1, 184-188, 1997
Reverse Micelle Formation of Triton X-100 in Butanol and N-Heptane Mixed-Solvents Studied by the Positron-Annihilation Technique
The positron annihilation technique (PAT) has been applied to study the molecular association phenomenon of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and formation of reversed micelles in the mixed solvent of butanol and n-heptane. The results indicate the sensitivity of positronium (Ps) parameters to the phase transition region due to the self-aggregation phenomenon of TX-100 within the system. The intensity of the long-lived ortho-Ps component, I-3 and its lifetime, tau(3), Show a remarkable change at a critical concentration of the surfactant at similar to 1.5 mM coined as the operational CMC of TX-100 in both (1:1) and (1:2) butanol-n-heptane (BuHp) systems. The narrow component/para-Ps intensity as computed from Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation indicates discernable changes at the same concentration region (similar to 1.5 mM) of TX-100 in the system. Further, microphase changes due to the association of water molecules within the nonaqueous phase has been studied by Ps parameters, which reveals a clear demarcation of the polar and nonpolar zones.
Keywords:NON-AQUEOUS SOLVENTS;ALKYLAMMONIUM CARBOXYLATE MICELLES;MAGNETIC-RESONANCE INVESTIGATIONS;APOLAR SOLVENTS;WATER;BENZENE;SYSTEMS;TEMPERATURE;SURFACTANTS;CYCLOHEXANE