Dual sites of solvation for the electrons and cation-electron recombination observed in the radiolysis of Triton X-100 and water mixtures: homogeneous and liquid crystalline regions

Pulse radiolysis studies were carried out on mixtures of a nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (Tx) and water. In the range 40–70% Tx, two transient absorption peaks at 630 and 720 nm were observed due to the solvation of radiolytically generated excess electrons in the palisade layer of the surfactant pseudophase and in water. Transient absorption due to the cation radical and triplet state of Tx was also observed. On shorter timescales (∼ 300 ns) a strong emission with λmax=305 nm due to the singlet state of Tx was also seen, generated by recombination of the cation radical and electrons. Scavenging studies by nitrate ions and pyrene demonstrated a preferential picking up of electrons from aqueous and surfactant pseudophases, respectively.