Micelle Templating in Deep Eutectic Solvents: Ion-micelle interactions

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are mixtures of organic salts and hydrogen bond donors, that form strongly hydrogen-bonded room temperature liquids. DES share many features with ionic liquids (ie. tunable physicochemical properties) which makes them viable green solvents that are less toxic than typical ILs. Recently we have demonstrated that these solvents support micellization and can be used to synthesise inorganic oxide nanoparticles under mild conditions. Solvent composition determines both surfactant solubility and micelle shape, while water content alters nanoparticle morphologies. We now wish to combine these studies to determine whether addition of precursor inorganic species alter the micellisation of surfactants in mixed DES and DES/water systems, to enable rational control in synthesis of mesoporous inorganic materials.