Length control in rigid cylindrical nanoassembly by tuning molecular interactions in aqueous solutions

We have studied aqueous micellar solutions of nonionic surfactant (pentaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether, C12E5) doped by cationic surfactant (dodecyl trimethylamoniumbromide, DTAB) as a function of doping level, using small angle neutron scattering. At a doping level of at least 6 mol %, rigid cylindrical micelles formed and the local cylindrical structure of the doped micelles showed no variation across the range of doping levels covered in this study (0-10 mol %). However, the total micellar length decreased rapidly as doping level increased, following well the prediction of micellar aggregation number based on molecular-thermodynamic theory. There was no synergistic interaction between surfactants, leading to monotonically decreasing the micellar aggregation number (shortening of the micellar length).     

Mixed Micellization of Dimeric (Gemini) Surfactants and Conventional Surfactants

The aqueous solutions of mixtures of various conventional surfactants and dimeric anionic and cationic surfactants have been investigated by electrical conductivity, spectrofluorometry, and time-resolved fluorescence quenching to determine the critical micelle concentrations and the micelle aggregation numbers in these mixtures. The following systems have been investigated: 12-2-12/DTAB, 12-2-12/C(12)E(6), 12-2-12/C(12)E(8), 12-3-12/C(12)E(8), Dim3/C(12)E(8), and Dim4/C(12)E(8) (12-2-12 and 12-3-12=dimethylene-1,2- and trimethylene-1,3-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide), respectively; C(12)E(6) and C(12)E(8)=hexa- and octaethyleneglycol monododecylethers, respectively; Dim3 and Dim4=anionic dimeric surfactants of the disodium sulfonate type, Scheme 1; DTAB=dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide). For the sake of comparison the conventional surfactant mixtures DTAB/C(12)E(8) and SDS/C(12)E(8) (SDS=sodium dodecylsulfate) have also been investigated (reference systems). Synergism in micelle formation (presence of a minimum in the cmc vs composition plot) has been observed for the Dim4/C(12)E(8) mixture but not for other dimeric surfactant/nonionic surfactant mixtures investigated. The aggregation numbers of the mixed reference systems DTAB/C(12)E(8) and SDS/C(12)E(8) vary monotonously with composition from the value of the aggregation number of the pure C(12)E(8) to that of the pure ionic component. In contrast, the aggregation number of the dimeric surfactant/C(12)E(8) mixtures goes through a minimum at a low value of the dimeric surfactant mole fraction. This minimum does not appear to be correlated to the existence of synergism in micelle formation. The initial decrease of the aggregation number of the nonionic surfactant upon addition of ionic surfactant, up to a mole fraction of ionic surfactant of about 0.2 (in equivalent per total equivalent), depends little on the nature the surfactant, whether conventional or dimeric. The results also show that the microviscosity of the systems containing dimeric surfactants is larger than that of the reference systems. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Chemical synthesis and crystallization of the dipeptide AcPheIleNH(2) in TTAB/heptane/octanol reversed micelles

The chemical synthesis of the dipeptide acetyl phenyl iso-leucin-amide (AcPheIleNH(2)) in tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB)/ heptane/octanol/carbonate buffer reversed micelles is described. The co-existence of the surfactant bounded minute water pools within the bulk organic solvent enables the simultaneous solubilization of the polar (IleNH(2)) and apolar (AcPheOEt) substrates, thus enabling the synthesis to take place at the micellar interface. The synthesis was favored by increasing the micellar interface via an increase in water content and surfactant concentration. The best dipeptide yield (87%) was obtained at 32 degrees C, with the largest concentrations of TTAB (200 mM) and water (1100 mM) tested. The low solubility of the dipeptide in the micellar media further led to the formation and growth of needle-like crystals during synthesis, thus enabling the removal of product from solution.     

Encapsulation of curcumin in cationic micelles suppresses alkaline hydrolysis

The alkaline hydrolysis of curcumin was studied in three types of micelles composed of the cationic surfactants cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). At pH 13, curcumin undergoes rapid degradation by alkaline hydrolysis in the SDS micellar solution. In contrast, alkaline hydrolysis of curcumin is greatly suppressed in the presence of either CTAB or DTAB micelles, with a yield of suppression close to 90%. The results from fluorescence spectroscopic studies reveal that while curcumin remains encapsulated in CTAB and DTAB micelles at pH 13, curcumin is dissociated from the SDS micelles to the aqueous phase at this pH. The absence of encapsulation and stabilization in the SDS micellar solution results in rapid hydrolysis of curcumin.     

Structure and properties of aqueous dispersions of sodium dodecyl sulfate with carbon nanotubes

The dispersing action of the surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) on the carbon nanotubes (CNT) in aqueous medium has been studied. Electron microscopy, molecular docking, NMR and IR spectroscopies were applied to determine the physical-chemical properties of CNT dispersions in SDS—water solutions. It was established that micellar adsorption of the surfactant on the surface of carbon material and solubilization of SDS in aqueous medium contribute to improving CNT dispersing in water solutions. It was shown that the non-polar hydrocarbon radicals of a single surfactant molecule form the highest possible number of contacts with the graphene surface. Upon increase of the SDS in solution these radicals form micelles connected with the surface of the nanotubes. At the sufficiently high SDS concentration the nanotube surface becomes covered with an adsorbed layer of surfactant micelles. Water molecules and sodium cations are concentrated in spaces between micelles. The observed pattern of micellar adsorption is somewhat similar to a loose bilayer of surfactant molecules.     

Unusual wetting dynamics of aqueous surfactant solutions on polymer surfaces

Static and dynamic contact angles of aqueous solutions of three surfactants--anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and nonionic pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C(12)E(5))--were measured in the pre- and micellar concentration ranges on polymer surfaces of different surface free energy. The influence of the degree of substrate hydrophobicity, concentration of the solution, and ionic/nonionic character of surfactant on the drop spreading was investigated. Evaporation losses due to relatively low humidity during measurements were taken into account as well. It was shown that, in contrast to the highly hydrophobic surfaces, contact angles for ionic surfactant solutions on the moderately hydrophobic surfaces strongly depend on time. As far as the nonionic surfactant is considered, it spreads well over all the hydrophobic polymer surfaces used. Moreover, the results obtained indicate that spreading (if it occurs) in the long-time regime is controlled not only by the diffusive transport of surfactant to the expanding liquid-vapor interface. Obviously, another process involving adsorption at the expanding solid-liquid interface (near the three-phase contact line), which goes more slowly than diffusion, has to be active.     

Role of the Surfactant Structure in the Behavior of Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids within Aqueous Micellar Solutions

The behavior of an ionic liquid (IL) within aqueous micellar solutions is governed by its unique property to act as both an electrolyte and a cosolvent. The influence of the surfactant structure on the properties of aqueous micellar solutions of zwitterionic SB‐12, nonionic Brij‐35 and TX‐100, and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of the “hydrophobic” IL 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF₆]) is assessed along with the possibility of forming oil‐in‐water microemulsions in which the IL acts as the “oil” phase. The solubility of [bmim][PF₆] within aqueous micellar solutions increases with increasing surfactant concentration. In contrast to anionic SDS, the zwitterionic and nonionic surfactant solutions solubilize more [bmim][PF₆] at higher concentrations and the average aggregate size remains almost unchanged. The formation of IL‐in‐water microemulsions when the concentration of [bmim][PF₆] is above its aqueous solubility is suggested for nonionic Brij‐35 and TX‐100 aqueous surfactant solutions.     

Electrophoretic properties of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles in KBr solution

Charge in ionic micelles determines the trends of their stability and their practical applications. Charge can be calculated from zeta potential (zeta) measurements, which, in turn, can be obtained by Doppler microelectrophoresis. In this study, the electrophoretic properties of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in KBr aqueous solution (0-6 mM) were determined by Doppler microelectrophoresis. At very low surfactant concentrations (up to 6 mM), zeta potential was quite constant and due to the ionized monomers (DTA+). Above 6 mM, zeta potential increased to a maximum at surfactant concentrations still below the critical micellar concentration (CMC). This increase could be explained by a formation of nonmicellar aggregates of DTAB. Then, above the CMC, zeta potential underwent an abrupt reduction, which was dependent qualitatively and quantitatively on KBr concentration, and which could be due to an increase of the number of counterions adsorbed on the micelle surface. Calculation of effective micellar charge from zeta potential gave the surface charge density. Comparing this value with the theoretical, obtained from geometrical considerations, a fraction of 0.29 of charged micellar headgroups was obtained when DTAB was in aqueous solution, which is consistent with the value obtained by conductivity measurements.     

Kinetics of solubilization of n-decane and benzene by micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate

We observed the diminishing of single microscopic oil drops to study the kinetics of solubilization of n-decane and benzene by micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Each drop is located in a horizontal glass capillary of inner diameter 0.06 cm filled with a thermostated surfactant solution; the small vertical dimension of the cell prevents the appearance of uncontrollable thermal convections. The experiments show that the radius of an n-decane drop decreases linearly with time, whereas for benzene this dependence is nonlinear. To interpret the data, a kinetic model of solubilization is developed. It accounts for the diffusion and capturing of dissolved oil molecules by the surfactant micelles, as well as for the finite rate of oil dissolution at the oil-water interface. By processing the data, we determined the rate constant of solubilization for a given oil and surfactant. It turns out that the elementary act of catching a dissolved oil molecule by a surfactant micelle occurs under a barrier (rather than diffusion) control. The effective rate of solubilization is greater for the oil, which exhibits a higher equilibrium solubility in pure water (benzene), despite the lower value of the solubilization rate constant for this oil.     

Immobilization of camptothecin with surfactant into hydrogel for controlled drug release

A new strategy has been developed for the controlled release of a hydrophobic anticancer drug, camptothecin (CPT), which suffers a limited therapeutical utility because of its poor water solubility. CPT was first solubilized in the solution of a cationic surfactant, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). It has been demonstrated that the presence of DTAB has increased the solubility of CPT significantly. In a 50 mM DTAB solution, the drug’s solubility was enhanced to 85 μM, 22 times of its solubility in pure water. The micellar drug solution of CPT-DTAB was subsequently used to prepare agarose hydrogels, which act as the drug carriers in the release studies. To fully take advantage of the cationic property of DTAB, negatively charged κ-carrageenan was added as a guest polymer in some hydrogel samples. The release of CPT from these hydrogel-surfactant systems was performed at 37 °C and the effects of DTAB and κ-carrageenan on the release of CPT were studied respectively. By fitting to the well-known Fickian diffusion model, the diffusion coefficients of CPT were obtained.     

Thermodynamic properties of ibuprofen sodium salt in aqueous/urea micellar solutions at 298.15 K

Thermodynamic, surface and micellar properties of anti-inflammatory drug sodium 2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propionate (sodium salt of ibuprofen (NaIBF)) in aqueous/urea solution were studied by surface tension measurements at 298.15 K in the presence of anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Critical micelle concentration (cmc), surface tension at cmc (γcmc), maximum Gibbs surface excess (Γ_max), minimum surface area per surfactant molecule at the air/water interface (A _min) etc. were determined in pure water as well as in aqueous urea solution. The theories of Clint, Rosen and Rubingh have been applied to describe the interactions between these amphiphiles at the interface and in the micellar solution. Various thermodynamic parameters have been calculated and discussed in detail.     

Spectrophotometric study of interaction and solubilization of procaine hydrochloride in micellar systems

The interaction of Procaine hydrochloride (PC) with cationic, anionic and non-ionic surfactants; cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and triton X-100, were investigated. The effect of ionic and non-ionic micelles on solubilization of Procaine in aqueous micellar solution of SDS, CTAB and triton X-100 were studied at pH 6.8 and 29°C using absorption spectrophotometry. By using pseudo-phase model, the partition coefficient between the bulk water and micelles, K_x, was calculated. The results showed that the micelles of CTAB enhanced the solubility of Procaine higher than SDS micelles (K_x = 96 and 166 for SDS and CTAB micelles, respectively) but triton X-100 did not enhanced the solubility of drug because of weak interaction with Procaine. From the resulting binding constant for Procaine-ionic surfactants interactions (K_b = 175 and 128 for SDS and CTAB surfactants, respectively), it was concluded that both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions affect the interaction of surfactants with cationic procaine. Electrostatic interactions have a great role in the binding and consequently distribution of Procaine in micelle/water phases. These interactions for anionic surfactant (SDS) are higher than for cationic surfactant (CTAB). Gibbs free energy of binding and distribution of procaine between the bulk water and studied surfactant micelles were calculated.      

The Self-Association and Mixed Micellization of an Anionic Surfactant,Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate,and a Cationic Surfactant,Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide: Conductometric,Dye Solubilization,and Surface Tension Studies

In the present study, we investigate the self-association and mixed micellization of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS, CTAB, and mixed (SDS + CTAB) surfactants was measured by electrical conductivity, dye solubilization, and surface tension measurements. The surface properties (viz., C₂₀ (the surfactant concentration required to reduce the surface tension by 20 mN/m), Π_CMC (the surface pressure at the CMC), Γ_max (maximum surface excess concentration at the air/water interface), and A_min (the minimum area per surfactant molecule at the air/water interface)) of SDS, CTAB, and (SDS + CTAB) micellar/mixed micellar systems were evaluated. The thermodynamic parameters of the micellar (SDS and CTAB), and mixed micellar (SDS + CTAB) systems were evaluated.

A schematic representation of micelles and mixed micelles.     

Photophysical Behavior of a New Gemini Surfactant in Neat Solvents and in Micellar Environments

A novel fluorescent gemini surfactant, 1,4-bis-(2'-(N-dodecyl pyridinio-4"-yl)ethenyl)benzene dibromide, abbreviated BDPEBB, has been synthesized and its photophysical properties have been studied in different environments. BDPEBB has a limited solubility in alcohols where it is found in aggregate form at concentrations>/=1 mM. In other solvents, e.g., water, it is only found in aggregate form, even at much lower concentrations. Solvent polarity has a small and insignificant solvatochromic effect but alcohols give a specific interaction with BDPEBB, causing a significant hypsochromic shift in absorption maxima and a large increase in relative fluorescence efficiency. Pyrene fluorescence is effectively quenched by BDPEBB. Pyrene also forms associative complexes with BDPEBB in water. These complexes are partly dissociated in the presence of surfactant micelles. Triton X-100 micelles provide a favorable environment for BDPEBB solubilization well distinguished from the behavior of ionic surfactants. Small quantities of BDPEBB have a large influence on the behavior of aqueous sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and sodium decylsulfate (SDeS) micelles, inducing the formation of large aggregates, visible by the naked eye. These large aggregates are most probably microcrystals of BDPEBB(2+)/2DS(-) or BDPEBB(2+)/2DeS(-). The aggregation number of SDS and SDeS micelles in the absence and in the presence of BDPEBB has been calculated by exploitation of the static luminescence quenching kinetics of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) by 9-methylanthracene, both solubilized in the micellar phase. It has been observed that Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) inhibits the precipitation of SDeS micelles in the presence of BDPEBB. Our results suggest that double-chain surfactant chromophores should be employed with particular care if they are to be used as probes of the micellar phase. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

SDS对SB3-12胶束表面电荷密度的调控作用及对药物增溶的影响

两性离子甜菜碱表面活性剂(SB3-12)胶束具有较好的生物相容性,由于相反电荷的极性头之间具有静电中和作用,胶束表面具有小的负电荷密度。当加入阴离子的十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)以后,负离子SD-与SB3-12胶束极性区内层季铵正电荷的静电中和作用,能连续地调节胶束表面磺酸基的负电荷密度,这有利于对药物分子的选择性增溶和调节在生理条件下的药物的输送。等温滴定量热(ITC)研究发现SB3-12和SDS有强的协同效应,混合临界胶束浓度(CMC)和胶束化焓明显降低,并得到两者协同效应的弱静电作用机理。当模型药物分子芦丁(Rutin)与SB3-12/SDS混合胶束作用时,芦丁7位羟基的氢解离后的阴离子与SDS共同作用于SB3-12形成混合胶束。UV-Vis吸收光谱和~1H NMR谱研究发现,在SB3-12胶束中,芦丁分子的A环位于季铵阳离子附近,B环位于两个相反电荷之间的弱极性区域。在SDS胶束中,B环位于栅栏层,而A环和二糖暴露于水相侧。在混合胶束中,随着SDS摩尔分数增加,对A环的静电吸引变弱。离子表面活性剂对两性离子表面活性剂胶束表面电荷密度的调节作用,本质上是对胶束极性区域的物理及化学性质的微调,进而实现对药物的可控增溶。     

Partitioning of macrocyclic compounds in a cationic and an anionic micellar solution: a small-angle neutron scattering study

Following a previous investigation on partitioning of some macrocycle compounds in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) aqueous solutions and their effect on the micellar structure, a small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study has been performed at fixed surfactant content (0.20 mol/L) and varying macrocycle concentrations from 0.20 up to 1.0 mol/L. Conductivity measurements have been also performed in order to evaluate the effect of the presence of macrocycles on the critical micellar concentration (cmc) of the two surfactants. SANS experimental data were fitted successfully by means of a core-plus-shell monodisperse prolate ellipsoid model. It has been found that 1,4,7,10,13,16-esaoxacyclooctadecane (18C6) and 4,7,13,16-tetraoxa-1,10-diazacyclooctadecane (22) do not interact with DTAB micelles whereas their sodium complexes interact with SDS aggregates and partially localize, as a consequence of electrostatic interaction, on the micellar surface or in the Stern layer. 2,5,8,11,14,17-Hexaoxabicyclo[16.4.0] dicosane (B18C6), as a consequence of the increased hydrophobic character with respect to 18C6, interacts with DTAB hydrocarbon chains and partially localizes in the inner part of micelles. This finding has been successfully used to justify the higher amount of B18C6 compared to the 18C6 one found in the SDS micellar phase. The substituted crown ether has been found localized both on the micelle surface via complex formation and in the inner part of micelles as a consequence of the increased hydrophobic character. For all systems, the aggregate size primarily decreases with the amount of macrocycle in the micellar phase. The interpretation of cmc trends as a function ofmacrocycle concentration gives information on its distribution between micellar and aqueous phases that is in line with SANS results.     

Effects of Charged Surfactants on Interfacial Water Structure and Macroscopic Properties of the Air-Water Interface

Surfactants are used to control the macroscopic properties of the air-water interface. However, the link between the surfactant molecular structure and the macroscopic properties remains unclear. Using sum-frequency generation spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, two ionic surfactants (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, DTAB, and sodium dodecyl sulphate, SDS) with the same carbon chain lengths and charge magnitude (but different signs) of head groups interact and reorient interfacial water molecules differently. DTAB forms a thicker but sparser interfacial layer than SDS. It is due to the deep penetration into the adsorption zone of Br⁻ counterions compared to smaller Na⁺ ones, and also due to the flip-flop orientation of water molecules. SDS alters two distinctive interfacial water layers into a layer where H⁺ points to the air, forming strong hydrogen bonding with the sulphate headgroup. In contrast, only weaker dipole-dipole interactions with the DTAB headgroup are formed as they reorient water molecules with H⁺ point down to the aqueous phase. Hence, with more molecules adsorbed at the interface, SDS builds up a higher interfacial pressure than DTAB, producing lower surface tension and higher foam stability at a similar bulk concentration. Our findings offer improved knowledge for understanding various processes in the industry and nature.     

Effect of surfactant type on surfactant-maltodextrin interactions: isothermal titration calorimetry, surface tensiometry, and ultrasonic velocimetry study

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), surface tensiometry, and ultrasonic velocimetry were used to characterize surfactant-maltodextrin interactions in buffer solutions (pH 7.0, 10 mM NaCl, 20 mM Trizma base, 30.0 degrees C). Experiments were carried out using three surfactants with similar nonpolar tail groups (C12) but different charged headgroups: anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), cationic (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, DTAB), and nonionic (polyoxyethylene 23 lauryl ether, Brij35). All three surfactants bound to maltodextrin, with the binding characteristics depending on whether the surfactant headgroup was ionic or nonionic. The amounts of surfactant bound to 0.5% w/v maltodextrin (DE 5) at saturation were < 0.3 mM Brij35, approximately 1-1.6 mM SDS, and approximately 1.5 mM DTAB. ITC measurements indicated that surfactant binding to maltodextrin was exothermic. Surface tension measurements indicated that the DTAB-maltodextrin complex was more surface active than DTAB alone but that SDS- and Brij35- maltodextrin complexes were less surface active than the surfactants alone.     

Investigation of SDS, DTAB and CTAB micelle microviscosities by electron spin resonance

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) of the nitroxide labelled fatty acid probes (5-, 16-doxyl stearic acid) was used to monitor the micelle microviscosity of three surfactants at various concentrations in aqueous solution: sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). At low surfactant concentration, there is no micelle, the ESR probe is dissolved in water/surfactant homogeneous phase and gives his microviscosity. At higher surfactant concentration, an abrupt increase in microviscosity indicates the apparition of micelles and, the solubilization of the probes in micelles. The microviscosity of the three surfactants, in a large surfactant range, was obtained as well as the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The microviscosity increased slightly with the increase in surfactant concentration. Phosphate buffer lowered the CMC value and generally increased the microviscosity.