Concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients of tert-butylferrocene within dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride/brine liquid crystals

The title lyotropic liquid crystal is examined as a framework to investigate long-range charge transfer, using tert-butylferrocene (tBuFc) as model hydrophobic system. It is found that the apparent one-dimensional diffusion coefficient depends on the tBuFc loading. It is suggested that an efficient relay mechanism for electron transfer is through the partitioning of the oxidised form between the two subphases, with inter-pseudophase reaction.

► Lyotropic liquid crystals afford a quasi-biphasic framework within which to support electron transfer relays.
► Differential partitioning of a redox couple allows for efficient long-range electron transport across the pseudophases.
► The resulting rate of charge diffusion can be faster than in redox-active liquids.