ROTATIONAL-DYNAMICS OF WATER-MOLECULES IN A WATER-SHORT-CHAIN-NONIONIC-AMPHIPHILE MIXTURE - DEPOLARIZED LIGHT-SCATTERING

Depolarized Rayleigh-wing light scattering experiments on aqueous solutions of 2-butoxyethanol (C4E1) as a function of temperature and concentration are reported. The measured spectra give information on the rotational dynamics of water molecules. Their analysis confirms the findings of surface-tension data performed in the same experimental conditions, namely, that the ethoxylated alcohol molecules have an amphiphilic character that can give rise to micellar structures. The water rotational motion is dominated by the presence of such aggregates and by the hydration of the oxyethylene groups of the alcohol molecules. © 1995 The American Physical Society.