Positronium reactions in AOT/n-heptane/water reversed micellar system incorporating metal ions

Abstract
The positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy as a chemical probe has been used to study AOT/n-heptane/water reversed micellar system. The steady increase of the annihilation lifetime τ₃ with the increase in Wo, the mole ratio of water to surfactant system suggests a gradual swelling of the aggregated structure. The incorporation of metal ions like, C⁺² and Co⁺² in the microwater pools at varying Wo values (Wo= 5 to 25) sets in an ordered molecular arrangement of polar and nonpolar zone which can be sensed by the positron lifetime parameters. The discernable feature of the observation is the appearance of a highly quenched additional lifetime component with 2% intensity at Wo = 25, with the encapsulation of metal ions.