Infrared spectroscopic studies of surfactant micelles: the behaviour of aliphatic ketones as guests

Abstract

Aliphatic ketones were incorporated into micelles and bilayers formed by various surfactant molecules. These ketones are used as "probe" molecules; hydrogen bonding to their carbonyl groups is easily detected by means of infrared spectroscopy. The extent of hydrogen bonding between the C=O groups and the solvent (D2O) is monitored by a parameter which gives a relative (qualitative) measure of the volumes of different micellar environments. It is also shown that structural changes may induce translocation of the ketone probes and that there are subtle structural differences between cooling-induced and ion-induced coagels. Keywords: infrared, micelles, water penetration, bilayers, surfactants.