Supramolecular systems based on cationic surfactants: an influence of hydrotropic salts and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes

Russian Chemical Bulletin - For cationic surfactant 4-aza-1-dodecyl-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide (DABCO-16), a significant decrease in the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is shown in...     

Ion-Exchange equilibria in cationic polyelectrolytes

A method which allows the evaluation of phenomenological ion exchange constants K_ex is proposed and tested in a cationic polyelectrolyte system. Results for nitrate/chloride exchange are nearly constant over the entire concentration range studied. However, for nitrate/bromide exchange, the results depend on the polyelectrolyte concentration, with K_ex following the same trend as the mean activity coefficient for the polyion bromide. For polyion fluoride, a conformational change is probably induced as nitrate is added to the solution and the result deviates from the linear relationship predicted by the method. Benzene sulfonate behaves like a hydrophilic anion, whereas tosylate and ethylbenzene sulfonate also induce conformational changes by hydrophobic interactions. These results are supported by viscosity measurements and agree well with those recently reported by Satoh, who considered changes in apparent molar volume. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Counterion selectivity in cationic polyelectrolytes

Chloride ion activity coefficients in aqueous solutions of several cationic copolymers have been determined using ion-selective electrodes in both the absence and the presence of simple univalent and divalent salts. Without added salt, the activity coefficient depends on the polymer concentration. It increases with increasing concentration of the added salt. The extent of interaction between counterions and polyions at a given polymer concentration, as estimated form chloride anion activity, is greater for bivalent than for univalent anions. Experimental data are in good agreement with theory. Selective interaction of anions with the ammonium copolymers has also been evidenced by viscometry. The selectivity follows the order For organic anions, in addition to electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic effects, which depend on the structure of the copolymer, play a significant role.     

Macromolecular design of new cationic polyelectrolytes

Methods were elaborated for the synthesis of new monomers, derivatives of diallylguanidine and macromers, which contain fragments of polytetrahydrofuran and diallylic nitrogencontaining end groups (diallylamine, alkyldiallylammonium, diallylguanidine both in base and acetate forms). Alkylation of a macromer with a diallylamine end group was carried out with methyl iodide in various organic solvents. The possibility of synthesis of diallylguanidine acetate homopolymer as well as its statistical copolymer with diallyldimethylammonium chloride was shown. For the first time, block copolymers based on synthesized macromers were obtained.Translated fromIzyestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1976–1982, November, 1994.The work was supported in part by the Russian Foundation For Basic Research (project code 94-03-08924a).     

Size exclusion chromatography of cationic polyelectrolytes

Molecular weight distributions of the cationic polyelectrolyte poly(2-trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate chloride) were determined via size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for a very broad molecular weight range ($\text{7.7 × 10}{}^3\text{?}\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>w</mtext>}}\text{? 1.1 × 10}{}_7$). Non-size exclusion effects (ion inclusion, ion exclusion, adsorption) were controlled by special surface treatment of the stationary phase (DMAE-Fractosil^R, E. Merck) and by proper selection of the mobile phase. A non-linear effective molecular weight calibration procedure was applied to account for the high polydispersity of the polyelectrolyte standard polymers. $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{w}}$ data from SEC experiments agree with results from light scattering, and the molecular weight distributions obtained from SEC and sedimentation velocity analysis compare well.     

Adsorption and aggregation of cationic amphiphilic polyelectrolytes on silica

The adsorption of two cationic amphiphilic polyelectrolytes, which are copolymers of two charged monomers, triethyl(vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride and dimethyldodecyl(vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride (which is the amphiphilic one) with different contents of amphiphilic groups (40% (40DT) and 80% (80DT)), onto the hydrophilic silica-aqueous solution interface has been studied by in situ null ellipsometry and tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). Adsorption isotherms for both polyelectrolytes were obtained at 25 degrees C and at different ionic strengths, and the adsorption kinetics was also investigated. At low ionic strength, thin adsorbed layers were observed for both polyelectrolytes. The adsorption increases with polymer concentration and reaches, in most cases, a plateau at a concentration below 50 ppm. For the 80DT polymer, at higher ionic strength, an association into aggregates occurs at concentrations at and above 50 ppm. The aggregates were observed directly by AFM at the surface, and by dynamic light scattering in the solution. The adsorption data for this case demonstrated multilayer formation, which correlates well with the increase in viscosity with the ionic strength observed for 80DT.     

Interaction of cellulose-based cationic polyelectrolytes with mucin

Mucoadhesivity of water-soluble polymers is an important factor, when testing their suitability for controlled drug delivery systems. For this purpose, the interaction of new cationic cellulose polyelectrolytes with lyophilized mucin was investigated by means of turbidimetric titration, microscopy and measurement of zeta potential and particle size changes in the system. Results show that the cellulose derivatives interact with mucin. This interaction became stronger if cellulose macromolecules contained positively charged groups and an electrostatic interaction with the negatively charged mucin particles occurred. Under certain conditions flocculation of mucin particles by the cellulose polyelectrolyte was observed.     

Diffusion of cationic polyelectrolytes into cellulosic fibers

The penetration of cationic polyelectrolytes into anionic cellulosic fibers was evaluated with fluorescent imaging techniques in order to clarify the mechanism and time scales for the diffusion process. The bulk charge of the cellulosic fibers indirectly creates a driving force for diffusion into the porous fiber wall, which is entropic in nature due to a release of counterions as the polyelectrolyte adsorbs. The individual bulk charges in the fiber cell wall also interact with the diffusing polyelectrolyte, such that the polyelectrolyte diffuses to the first available charge and consequently adsorbs and remains fixed. Thus, subsequent polyelectrolyte chains must first diffuse through the adsorbed polyelectrolyte layer before adsorbing to the next available bulk charges. This behavior differs from earlier suggested diffusion mechanisms, by which polyelectrolytes were assumed to first adsorb to the outermost surface and then reptate into the pore structure. The time scales for polyelectrolyte diffusion were highly dependent on the flexibility of the chain, which was estimated from calculations of the persistence length. The persistence length ultimately depended on the charge density and electrolyte concentration. The charge density of the polyelectrolyte had a greater influence on the time scales for diffusion. High charge density polyelectrolytes were observed to diffuse on a time scale of months, whereas the diffusion of low charge density polyelectrolytes was measured on the order of hours. An influence of the chain length, that is, steric interactions due the persistence length of the polyelectrolyte and to the tortuosity of the porous structure of the fiber wall, could only be noted for low charge density polyelectrolytes. Increasing the electrolyte concentration increased the chain flexibility by screening the electrostatic contribution to the persistence length, in turn inducing a faster diffusion process. However, a significant change in the diffusion behavior was observed at high electrolyte concentrations, at which the interaction between the polyelectrolyte charges and the fiber charges was almost completely screened.     

Isobutene hydroformylation in catalytic systems based on rhodium compounds and polyelectrolytes

The catalytic properties of water-soluble systems based on rhodium complexes and polyelectrolytes in isobutene hydroformylation were studied. All of the catalytic systems exhibited an unexpectedly high activity under the conditions where homogeneous hydroformylation virtually did not occur in the presence of conventional rhodium catalysts. A stable catalytic system based on acacRh(CO)₂-PEG complex was proposed, allowing isobutene hydroformylation to be performed with a high activity under mild conditions. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 705–707, April, 1999.     

Flocculation of aqueous silica suspensions using cationic polyelectrolytes

Flocculation of model silica suspensions by cationic polyelectrolytes was studied using optical and microelectrophoretic techniques. Polymer charge density effects were determined by varying the degree of quaternization or by changing pH, depending on the nature of the amine group present.Charge neutralization appears to be the principal flocculation mechanism, although polymer bridging may play a role once the particle surface charge is significantly reduced. Silica retains a net negative ζ-potential (−25 ± 5 mV) under optimal flocculation conditions. This finding is discussed semi-quantitatively in terms of an “electrostatic patch” adsorption model for flocculation.     

Counterion binding to cationic polyelectrolytes in aqueous solution

The mean ion activity coefficient, (γ_±)_px/(γ_±)_salt for different high-linear charge density cationic polyelectrolyte fluoride, bromide, chloride and nitrate has been determined. The order found is: F^? > CI^? ≧ Br^? > NO. The results obtained with added nitrate were compared with those predicted by Iwasa, Guéron, and Weisbuch and Manning's models. The latter presents the best agreement for polyion chloride and bromide. It was possible to establish the most probable microconfiguration for the polyions studied here. Manning's theory gives a moderate agreement for polyion fluoride values compatible with a lower charge density than for polyelectrolyte chloride and bromide.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolytes

Cationic polyelectrolytes containing quaternary nitrogen atoms within the main chain were prepared via condensation polymerization of epichlorhydrin (ECH) with benzyl amine (BA). Polyelectrolytes having different molecular weights were obtained by varying the ECH/BA mole ratio. Cationic polymers were characterized by ¹H-NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The antimicrobial activity of the polymers was tested against bacteria, yeast, and fungi.     

Electrical conductivity of cationic polyelectrolytes in aqueous solution

Four different fluoride, chloride, bromide, and nitrate cationic polyelectrolytes were prepared. Their electrolytic conductivity in aqueous dilute solution was investigated. The results show a remarkable increase, with dilution being practically constant down to limiting concentration. The limiting equivalent conductivity Λ° follows the order The distances between neighboring charges calculated from experimental data are in good agreement with those calculated geometrically according to Manning's definition. The results are mainly dependent on the assumption that Br^? and NO₃^? interact in a similar manner with the cationic charges on the polyion. This phenomenon also has been observed in cationic micelles.     

Supramolecular systems based on cationic surfactants and amphiphilic macrocycles

The effect of the structure of mono- and dicationic surfactants and amphiphilic calixarenes on their aggregation properties, aggregate morphology, and catalytic activity in reactions of nucleophilic substitution in esters is analyzed.     

Encapsulation of quantum dots in supramolecular systems based on amphiphilic compounds and polyelectrolytes

Supramolecular nanocontainers based on monocationic and gemini surfactants and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine) for the stabilization and enhancement of solubility of hydrophobic quantum dots CdSe/ZnS were formed. The size (from 2 to 70 nm depending on the type of nanocontainers) and shape of aggregates containing quantum dots were determined by transmission electron microscopy. It was shown that the nature of the stabilizing agent influences the morphology of aggregates. The increase in photostability of quantum dots in micellar solutions of gemini surfactants and the possibility of their preservation in the polyelectrolyte capsules are identified.     

Catalysis by cationic polyelectrolytes and micelles in bisulfite oxidation

The oxidation of sodium bisulfite in the presence of cationic polyelectrolytes or micelles has been studied. The formation of cationic-bisulfite complexes is indicated, and a kinetic analysis suggests the validity of the enzyme kinetics applied to determine the kinetic parameters. Distinct differences in the activity of cationics depend on the configuration of the cationics in solution; micelle-forming cationics are more effective than nonmicellar polycationics, except in the case of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), (PDADM). The oxidation rate is strongly affected by the presence of monomer in the system, especially where nonmicellar polycationics are involved.     

Interactions of temperature-responsive anionic polyelectrolytes with a cationic surfactant

The interactions of temperature-responsive copolymers of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate (AMPS) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with a cationic surfactant, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC), have been studied. The content of AMPS in the copolymers ranged from 1.1 to 9.6 mol%. The surface activity was higher for the polymers with lower AMPS content. It was found that DTAC undergoes association with the polymer chain, forming mixed polymer-surfactant micelles. The values of cac for the polymers were found in fluorescence studies using pyrene as the fluorescent probe. They were in the range 0.9-3.6x10(-3) M and were lower for polymers with higher AMPS content. An increase in DTAC concentration up to about its cmc results in a decrease of the LCST (lower critical solution temperature) of the copolymers, while further increase above the cmc results in an increase of the LCST. The minimum value of LCST in the presence of the surfactant is lower than the LCST of NIPAM homopolymer.     

Interaction of the low-molecular weight salts with cationic polyelectrolytes

The interaction of several mono-, di-, and trivalent anions with cationic polyelectrolytes having different contents in N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxypropylen ammonium chloride units (polymer A) or tertiary amine N-atoms and PEG (polymer PEGA) in the main chain was studied by viscosimetric and conductometric measurements. Both methods have shown a stronger interaction for tri- and bi- than for univalent counterions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 2571–2581, 1997     

Fabrication of composite films containing zirconia and cationic polyelectrolytes

Composite films were prepared by electrophoretic deposition of poly(ethylenimine) or poly(allylamine hydrochloride) combined with cathodic precipitation of zirconia. Films of up to several micrometers thick were obtained on Ni, Pt, stainless-steel, graphite, and carbon-felt substrates. When the concentration of polyelectrolytes in solutions and the deposition time were varied, the amount of the deposited material and its composition can be varied. The electrochemical intercalation of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles into the composite films has been demonstrated. Obtained results pave the way for the electrodeposition of other polymer-ceramic composites. The deposits were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The mechanisms of deposition are discussed.