Inverted micelles of AOT as electron scavengers in 3-MP at 77 K in the absence and presence of water

Pulse radiolysis of bis (2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) solutions in 3 methylpentane (3 MP) at 77 K leads to the formation of a species absorbing at around 450 nm. This absorption is believed to result from the scavenging of electrons by AOT inverted micelles. The electron scavenging capacities of an AOT solution depend on the aggregation number of the micelles. The addition of water leads to less efficient electron capture which is explained by an increase of the aggregation number. This increase is of the same order of magnitude as measured by other techniques at room temperature