Sodium carboxymethylcellulose-induced aggregation of 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride in aqueous solutions.

Aggregation behavior of a surface active ionic liquid 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C10MeImCl) was studied in aqueous solutions in absence and in presence of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) by electrical conductivity, surface tension, vapor pressure, and fluorescence measurements. Ion-association behavior of C10MeImCl (aq) in the premicellar regime has also been investigated. Two characteristic concentrations, namely the critical aggregation concentration and polymer saturation concentration, before free C10MeImCl micelles appear in C10MeImCl-NaCMC solutions were identified. Effects of temperature, NaCMC concentration, and the bulk solution structural property on the self-aggregation of C10MeImCl have been discussed to elucidate C10MeImCl-NaCMC interactions. Thermodynamics of the micellization processes provided important insight regarding the (a) release of water molecules from the hydration layer around the hydrophilic domain, and from the water cage around the hydrophobic moiety of the SAIL, and (b) transfer of the hydrocarbon chains into the micelle and restoration of the H-bonding structure of the water around the micelle.