Studies of bio-mimetic medium of ionic and non-ionic micelles by a simple charge transfer fluorescence probe N,N-dimethylaminonapthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile

In this report we have studied micellization process of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants using N,N-dimethylaminonapthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) as an external fluorescence probe. Micropolarity, microviscosity, critical micellar concentration of these micelles based on steady state absorption and fluorescence and time resolved emission spectroscopy of the probe DMANAN show that the molecule resides in the micelle–water interface for ionic micelles and in the core for the non-ionic micelle. The effect of variation of pH of the micellar solution as well as fluorescence quenching measurements of DMANAN provide further support for the location of the probe in the micelles.

Graphical abstractCharge transfer fluorescence probe N,N-dimethylaminonapthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) inside the SDS micelle capable for studying microenvironment of different micelles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► The present article introduces a ICT probe for studying micelles environments. ► Mapping of micropolarity, CMC, microviscosity of different micelles using ICT probe. ► Location of probe in different ionic and non-ionic micelles can be determined.