Proton spin–lattice relaxation times in some non-ionic micellar solutions

Abstract

Spin–lattice relaxation times have been measured for water and both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties of micelles of n-decyl pentaoxyethylene glycol monoether. The micellar core behaves as a slightly viscous liquid which is not penetrated by water molecules to a measurable extent, while the ethoxyl chains of the micellar shell are relatively tightly coiled at lower temperatures with water molecules trapped among them, but become extended as the temperature rises with concomitant liberation of the trapped water.