Solvent Structuring in Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvents

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are formed by the complexation of salts and hydrogen bond donors. They are tuneable and environmentally benign, which makes them favourable as alternative solvents. Our group has used the choline chloride:urea DES in metal oxide synthesis, and we wish to expand this method to using surfactant templating. Although ChCl:urea does not solubilise CTAB surfactants, we have shown that the ternary choline chloride:urea:glycerol DES does support their self-assembly. As such, it is of interest to us for use in templated synthesis and an understanding of the molecular interactions within the system is crucial when designing an appropriate system. Here we wish to study the structure of the choline chloride:urea:glycerol DES at varying urea:glycerol ratios, to probe the molecular interactions and to understand the effect which water addition has upon the DES structure.