Trifluoromethylsulfonate as counterion of cationic micelles

Author(s)

Filipe da Silva Lima

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2013-06-20

Examining board members

Hernan Chaimovich Guralnik; Elizabeth Pinheiro Gomes Areas; Watson Loh; Jose Manuel Riveros Nigra; Munir Salomão Skaf

• Advisor: Hernan Chaimovich Guralnik

Abstract

Micelles are colloidal aggregates formed by amphiphilic monomers i.e., molecules with a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic moiety (surfactants). Specific ion effects (SIEs) are observed in cationic micelles, because the physicochemical properties of the micellar aggregates, such as size and shape, depend on the nature of the counterion. Different inorganic counterions lead to small changes in micellar properties of cationic aggregates, but organic counterions can induce more pronounced effects, such as shape transitions of the aggregates or phase separation. In micellar systems, the SIEs can be related with: (a) differences in the location of anions in micelles; (b) differences in the hydration of micelles and ions; and (c) possible ion-pair formation between surfactants and counterions at the micellar interface. Several models have been developed to describe the formation and stability of micellar aggregates, considering different energy terms that possibly contribute to the formation/stability of micelles. However, the terms described above (a - c) are generally not included in micellar models. Thus, it should not be possible to predict the properties of cationic micelles, using the current models, if the counterion is small, dehydrated and capable of forming ion-pairs, such as the trifluoromethylsulfonate anion (triflate, Tf). In this context, we have determined the micellar properties of dodecyltrimethylammonium triflate (DTATf) micelles and we have compared the results with similar micelles formed by bromide, chloride and methanesulfonate, aiming to identify their structural differences and its origins. To determine the micellar properties, we have used several techniques: time resolved fluorescence, small angle X-ray scattering, conductometry, kinetic assays, electron paramagnetic and nuclear magnetic resonances and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, among others. We have observed that the DTATf aggregate presents a highly packed, ordered and dehydrated disk-like geometry and these properties were reproduced in molecular dynamics simulations. The analysis of the DTATf properties showed that the formation of ion-pairs at the micellar interface induces severe changes in micellar properties, such as micellar dehydration. The DTATf properties clearly demonstrate that for a theoretical model of micellar system to be accurate and general, the possibility of ion-pair formation at the micellar interface and the counterions-surfactant specific interactions must be modeled. Additionally, due to the results reported herein and by analyzing other systems, we suggest a more fundamental role of water (interfacial or hydrating water) in the micellar properties. (AU)