Spectroscopic investigation of micellar and vesicular interfaces

ANYL 183

Sarah A. Stevenson, sarah@chemistry.msu.edu and G. J. Blanchard, blanchard@chemistry.msu.edu. Chemistry, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824
Micelles and bilayer vesicle structures bear a loose structural resemblance, but differ in fundamental ways in the details of their structure. Differences in the molecular organization of these structures are difficult to compare directly because, in most cases, the molecules used to construct these systems are different. We use the molecule decanoic acid and its conjugate base sodium decanoate to make this comparison. This molecule has been shown to form either micelles or unilamellar vesicles, depending on the solution pH, decanoic acid concentration and processing steps used. We sequester a nonpolar chromophore inside sodium decanoate micelles and vesicles and monitor lifetime and reorientation measurements to obtain information on how the local environments differ between the one and two layered systems. Our data indicate that although these systems share a common constituent, there are measurable differences between the micellar and vesicular environments.
 

General Session
7:00 PM-9:00 PM, Sunday, 26 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- Ex. Hall B4, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, 27 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- Ex. Hall B4, Sci-Mix

Division of Analytical Chemistry

The 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26-30, 2006