In the similar vein as these previous studies, here we used ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy that allowed us to discern whether the surfactants are in free or in aggregated state in both the organic and aqueous phases. This was possible as the UV absorbing carboxylic acid groups exhibit Bathochromic (red) and Hypsochromic (blue) shifts depending upon whether they form aggregates via H-bonding interaction with each other and/or with the solvent itself .