EGylated deep eutectic solvent influenced micellization behaviour of [C6mim][Br] ionic liquid in aqueous solutions

• Interfacial and spectroscopic properties of SAIL were measured. • A double derivative approach was utilized for the micellization study. • Deep eutectic solvent-SAIL interactions studied in aqueous mixtures. • Critical Micelle Concentration was lowered in PEG-DES compared to EG-DES. • UV and IR spectroscopy confirmed CMC and structural changes. The micellization behavior of synthesized surface-active ionic liquid (SAIL), 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide ([C 6 mim][Br]) was studied in aqueous mixtures of deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The micellization of [C 6 mim][Br] in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol:citric acid (PEG:CA) and ethylene glycol:citric acid (EG:CA) DESs were evaluated using conductivity measurements, Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was evaluated using conductivity measurements at 298.15 K, 308.15 K, and 318.15 K, with aqueous DES concentrations of 0.2 M, 0.3 M, and 0.4 M. The double derivative method was applied for CMC determination, revealing anomalous behavior in the variation of CMC with DES concentration. UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopic techniques evaluated the molecular interactions occurring in the aqueous mixture.