Nonlinear Optical Studies of Oil and Water Interfaces

两种不混溶液体之间的界面对于许多具有相当意义的化学和生物过程是重要的。该研究项目由分析和表面化学项目支持，应用最先进的非线性光学光谱探针来询问油水界面分子的结构和取向。这些信息有助于在分子水平上理解相转移催化、溶剂萃取、生物膜和地下水环境污染等不同领域。液-液界面的二次谐波产生和和频率产生将用于提供所寻求的分子级结构信息。最初的研究将集中在水-烷烃、水-硝基苯和水-苯腈系统，以及在这些界面上吸附的表面活性剂分子上。为了理解离子传输、电子传输和不混相液相之间的物质传输，对界面分子结构的详细了解是必不可少的。非线性光谱探测界面可以提供这些信息，并构成本研究项目的基础。这项工作的结果在相转移催化、光化学能量转换和环境清理等技术重要和多样化的领域将是重要的。

The interface between two immiscible liquids is important to many chemical and biological processes of considerable significance. This research project, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, applies state of the art non-linear optical spectroscopic probes to interrogate the structure and orientation of molecules at the oil-water interface. This information is useful for developing a molecular level understanding of such diverse areas as phase transfer catalysis, solvent extraction, biological membranes, and environmental contamination of ground waters. Second harmonic generation and sum frequency generation at the liquid-liquid interface will be used to provide the molecular level structural information sought. Initial studies will concentrate on the water-alkane, water-nitrobenzene, and water-benzonitrile systems, as well as surfactant molecules adsorbed at these interfaces. In order to understand ion transport, electron transport, and material transport between immiscible liquid phases, a detailed knowledge of the molecular structure of the interface is essential. Non-linear optical spectroscopic probing of the interface can provide this information, and forms the basis of this research project. Results of this work will be important in such technologically important and diverse areas as phase transfer catalysis, photochemical energy conversion, and environmental clean-up operations.