Understanding the interfacial properties of bmim-AOT reverse micelles for their application as nanoreactors

•The characteristics of the micellar interface is crucial to be able to use reverse micelles as nanoreactors.•The bmim-AOT RMs exhibit an interface with low electron donating capacity, compared to Na-AOT RMs.•The bmim+ counterion drastically modifies the physicochemical properties of the inner polar cores of RMs.•The bmim-AOT RMs can be used as nanoreactores, to synthesize highly monodisperse Ch-NPs in aqueous suspension.•Given the low electron donating capacity of bmim-AOT RMs, Ch-NPs are larger than those prepared from Na-AOT RMs.