Reverse micelles solubilizing DMSO and DMSO/water mixtures

Aerosol OT/cyclohexane reverse micelles solubilizing DMSO and DMSO/water mi xtures have been investigated utilizing dynamic light scattering, IR spectr oscopy and UV/vis absorption by a polarity probe. Without water, similar to 2.5 DMSO molecules/AOT molecule are solubilized inside the micelles. Addin g water to the reverse micelles significantly increases the DMSO solubilize d. Reverse micelles solubilizing DMSO are larger than corresponding micelle s containing an equal amount of water. IR spectra reveal water interacts bo th with DMSO and the surfactant head group. The polarity of DMSO increases inside the micelles, while the intramicellar DMSO/water polarity depends bo th on the ratio of the solvents and on micellar size. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.