Radiolytic syntheses of nanoparticles in supramolecular assemblies

Ionizing radiation is a powerful method in the syntheses of nanoparticles (NPs). The application of ionizing radiation in supramolecular assemblies can afford us more unique conditions to control the composition and morphology of the NPs. So far, most work focused on water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions or reversed micelles. In this supramolecular organization, it has been proved that the effects of many conditions on the yield of e(aq)(-) play a key role, remarkably different from the mechanism in routine chemical method. Besides, some supramolecular assemblies of cyclodextrins and ionic liquids have been used in the syntheses of NPs by ionizing radiation, and many novel and interesting phenomena appeared. This review is intended to underline the three significant aspects of the radiolytic syntheses of NPs in supramolecular assemblies.

Kinetic Model for Reactivity in Quaternary Water-in-Oil Microemulsions

A study was carried out on the nitrosation of piperazine (PIP) and N-methylbenzylamine (MeBzAm) by N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulfonamide (MNTS) in quaternary microemulsions of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTABr)/isooctane/alcohol/water, varying the nature and the concentration of the following alcohols: 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol and 1-decanol keeping the [1-alcohol]/[TTABr] = 4 relationship constant. In addition a study was carried out on the influence of the alcohol concentration, working with molar relationships [1-hexanol]/[TTABr]=3, 4 and 5. On the basis of the molar volumes of the alcohol and surfactant and the concentration of alcohol at the interface it was possible to calculate the change in its volume with as varying compositions of the microemulsion. In order to interpret the experimental results a kinetic model was devised which takes into account the distribution of the reactants between the different pseudophases and the change in the volume of the interface. The rate constants at the interface of the microemulsion are lower than in pure water and are independent of the nature of the alcohol used as a cosurfactant and the molar relationship [alcohol]/[TTABr]. This independence indicates that the main role of the cosurfactant is to increase the volume of the interface with the consequent dilution of the reactants.

Photodetachment of Ferrocyanide in Reverse Micelles

Solvated electrons have been generated in reverse micelles (RMs) through photodetachment of ferrocyanide (Fe(CN)(6)(4-)) in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) RMs. We have measured both bleach recovery of the parent ferrocyanide CN stretch in the infrared and the decay of the solvated electron absorption at 800 nm. The bleach recovery has been fit to a diffusion model for the geminate recombination process. The fit parameters suggest a narrowing of the spatial distribution of ejected electrons due to confinement in the RMs when compared to bulk water. The diffusion coefficient of the solvated electron does not appear to be significantly affected by RM confinement. The decay of the solvated electron absorption exhibits an additional decay component that is not observed in bulk water and is smaller for larger RMs. No corresponding additional component is seen in the parent ferrocyanide IR bleach recovery, which supports our interpretation that the confinement-induced new decay process in RMs is due to electrons reacting with AOT headgroups.

Pulse radiolytic oxidation of beta-carotene with halogenated alkylperoxyl radicals in a quaternary microemulsion: formation of retinol

Pulse radiolytically generated halogenated alkylperoxyl radicals, namely CCl3OO*, CBr3OO*, CHCl2OO*, CHBr2OO*, etc. have been employed for a study of the oxidation of beta-carotene in a quaternary microemulsion. All these halogenated alkylperoxyl radicals produce a radical cation (absorption maximum at 840 nm), either via the initial formation of an adduct (absorption maximum at 740 nm), or by direct reaction. There was a considerable blue shift of both absorption peaks in the present system as compared to those earlier reported in non-polar as well as in micellar media. An additional intense absorption peak at approximately 345 nm was noted at a longer time scale and was stable up to 5 ms. On irradiation with a large number of electron pulses, a stable product with an absorption maximum at 315 nm appeared. On excitation at 315 nm, this product gave a fluorescence spectrum with an emission maximum at 525 nm. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the stable product compared with those of retinol; this was further confirmed by HPLC analysis. A suitable mechanism has been proposed.