Monolayer formation of PBLG-PEO block copolymers at the air-water interface

Physicochemical properties of PBLG (poly(gamma-benzyl-l-glutamate))-PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)) diblock copolymers composed of PBLG as the hydrophobic rod component and PEO as the hydrophilic component were investigated at the air-water interface. Surface pressure-area isotherms obtained by the Wilhelmy plate method provide several variables such as molecular size, compressibility of PEO, and the free energy change of the PBLG-PEO block copolymer. GE-1 (M(w) of PBLG:PEO=103,700:12,000), with a relatively longer rod, has negative temperature effects and GE-3 (M(w) of PBLG:PEO=8400:12,000), with a relatively shorter rod, shows a positive temperature effect because of the large entropy loss. These competitions were based on the block size of PBLG and PEO and were affected by various microstructures of the PBLG-PEO diblock copolymer. Monolayer aggregations transferred onto mica from the air-water interface were analyzed with AFM. AFM images of GE-1 monolayers show cylindrical micelles, but the self-assembled structure has many large domains. The monolayer of GE-2 (M(w) of PBLG:PEO=39,800:12,000), which has a medium size rod, forms a spherical structure at the air-water interface. Monolayers of GE-3, with a short rod length, form bilayer structures. These results demonstrate that the microstructures of PBLG-PEO diblock copolymers are related to free energy changes between rod and coil blocks.     

Monolayer behaviour of a nematogenic phenyl benzoate at the air-water interface

The pressure-area characteristics of the monolayers of butyl p-(p--ethoxy-phenoxycarbonyl) phenyl carbonate (BPC) have been studied at various temperatures in the range 10°-31°C. With compression, the film passes from the gaseous (G) to the multilayer (M) state, via the liquid condensed (L) state. The transitions from G to L and L to M states occur over wide plateau regions at lower temperatures. The widths of these regions and also the molecular areas at which they begin decrease linearly with elevation in temperature. A remarkable feature of the isotherms is that, in the G and L regions, as the temperature is lowered, they shift in the direction of higher pressure. This is explained by taking into account the possible molecular orientations with respect to the substrate. The overall surface behaviour of BPC differs from that of some other phenyl benzoates studied earlier. In particular, BPC does not form liquid-crystal-like multilayers. The paper also includes certain results on the surface behaviour of mixtures of BPC and cholesterol; the condensing effect of cholesterol is briefly discussed.     

Ellipsometric studies of behenic acid at the air-water interface

The rich phase behaviour of monolayers of behenic acid (=docosanoic acid) has been analyzed by null ellipsometry in isothermic and isobaric measurements. By using structural data known from x-ray measurements the anisotropy and refractive indices in the vicinity of the S-CS phase transition have been calculated with a minimum of model assumptions. The calculated values are: n^s_x=1.47. n^cs_x=1.48. n^sz=1.54. n^cs_z=1.55. and anisotropy γ=n_x/n_z ≈︁0.95. It is also shown that ellipsometry is a very sensitive and convenient method of detecting phase transitions. Its value for quantifying the roughness of the monolayer in the close vicinity of phase transitions due to thickness and density fluctuations is shown by the measurement of the parabolic intensity variations of the ellipsometric angle δΔ. The intensity minimum at the phase transition is much wider than in the adjacent homogeneous phases.     

Stabilization of alkylated azacrown ether by fatty acid at the air-water interface

The adsorbed amount of partially deuterated dihexadecyl-diaza-18-crown-6 ether (d-ACE16) in the presence of different chain length fatty acids as a function of surface pressure was determined by neutron reflectometry technique. The highest adsorbed amount of the azacrown ether was observed for the mixture of ACE16 with hexadecanoic (palmitic) acid, pointing to the importance of chain length matching between the two species for optimum stabilization of the mixed monolayer. The contrast variation technique was used to estimate the contribution to the total adsorbed amount from stearic acid and ACE16. It was found that the mixed Langmuir monolayer is stable against dissolution up to a surface pressure of 20 mN m(-1). Above this pressure, however, the spread and adsorbed amounts start to deviate, indicative of partial dissolution into the aqueous subphase. The consequences of this behavior for the transport of metal ions through the interfaces of permeation liquid membranes (PLMs) are discussed.     

Amphiphilic meso-disubstituted porphyrins: synthesis and the effect of the hydrophilic group on absorption spectra at the air-water interface

Five amphiphilic meso-disubstituted porphyrins bearing one polar group were synthesized, and their monolayer films were prepared. Their limiting molecular areas obtained from pi-A isotherms were 0.5-0.6 nm2, which were smaller than those of the corresponding meso-tetrasubstituted porphyrins. At the air-water interface, the disubstituted porphyrins showed a broad band in visible absorption spectra compared with the solution state, and the red shift of the Soret band exhibited a significant dependence on the kind of hydrophilic groups at the meso positions. Interestingly, the monolayer of the disubstituted porphyrin bearing a carboxyphenyl group (1-CO2H) showed a blue shift of the Soret band by adding cadmium chloride to the subphase, and the spectra varied upon multilayer deposition. The observed phenomena were interpreted by using the exciton theory. The effect of hydrophilic substituents on the absorption spectra of disubstituted porphyrin monolayers is discussed.     

Mechanical properties of interfacial films formed by lysozyme self-assembly at the air-water interface

We present the first characterization of the mechanical properties of lysozyme films formed by self-assembly at the air-water interface using the Cambridge interfacial tensiometer (CIT), an apparatus capable of subjecting protein films to a much higher level of extensional strain than traditional dilatational techniques. CIT analysis, which is insensitive to surface pressure, provides a direct measure of the extensional stress-strain behavior of an interfacial film without the need to assume a mechanical model (e.g., viscoelastic), and without requiring difficult-to-test assumptions regarding low-strain material linearity. This testing method has revealed that the bulk solution pH from which assembly of an interfacial lysozyme film occurs influences the mechanical properties of the film more significantly than is suggested by the observed differences in elastic moduli or surface pressure. We have also identified a previously undescribed pH dependency in the effect of solution ionic strength on the mechanical strength of the lysozyme films formed at the air-water interface. Increasing solution ionic strength was found to increase lysozyme film strength when assembly occurred at pH 7, but it caused a decrease in film strength at pH 11, close to the pI of lysozyme. This result is discussed in terms of the significant contribution made to protein film strength by both electrostatic interactions and the hydrophobic effect. Washout experiments to remove protein from the bulk phase have shown that a small percentage of the interfacially adsorbed lysozyme molecules are reversibly adsorbed. Finally, the washout tests have probed the role played by additional adsorption to the fresh interface formed by the application of a large strain to the lysozyme film and have suggested the movement of reversibly bound lysozyme molecules from a subinterfacial layer to the interface.     

Adsorption at the air-water interface and emulsification properties of grain legume protein derivatives from pea and broad bean

Functional properties of native and modified (through induced autolysis) pea (Pisum sativum L.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) protein derivatives are studied. In specific, protein solubility and behavior at the air–water interface through surface pressure measurements are investigated. Furthermore the ability of the protein products to act as emulsifying agents and to stabilize emulsions is studied through oil droplet size distribution measurements and by the protein adsorbed at the oil–water interface. The data reveal that the ability of the proteins to act as surfactants and build up a rigid film around the oil droplets, mainly depends on their suitable molecular configuration and structure. Hydrolysis did not promote the functionality of the legume proteins. Broad bean exhibited better functionality than pea, before and after hydrolysis. Some comparisons were also made with lupin (Lupinus albus L.) protein isolate.     

Monolayers of stearic acid esters at the air-water interface: two-dimensional phases and miscibility

Monolayers of three stearic acid esters, methyl-stearate, propyl-stearate and butyl-stearate, were studied at the air-water interface in the 15–35 °C temperature range.To investigate the surface phases of these esters spread at the air-water interface, some state equations were fitted with the experimental data taken from the isotherms.Surface potential measurements were carried out to obtain information on the molecular orientation. The interfacial orientation and distribution was discussed in relationship to the surface phases present.Ellipsometric measurements were made to determine the thicknesses.The two-dimensional miscibility for the mixture methyl-stearate/butyl-stearate was also studied: surface free energies, enthalpies, and entropies of mixing were computed. The results obtained confirmed previous deductions about the role of the hydrophobic chains in determining the two-dimensional miscibility when they have the same interfacial orientation.     

Dynamic properties of soy globulin adsorbed films at the air-water interface

In this paper we present surface dilatational properties of soy globulins (beta-conglycinin, glycinin, and reduced glycinin with 10 mM of dithiothreitol (DTT)) adsorbed onto the air-water interface, as a function of adsorption time. The experiments were performed at constant temperature (20 degrees C), pH (8.0), and ionic strength (0.05 M). The surface rheological parameters were measured as a function of protein concentration (ranging from 1 to 1x10(-3)% wt/wt). We found that the surface dilatational modulus, E, increases, and the phase angle, phi, decreases with time, theta, which may be associated with protein adsorption. These phenomena have been related to protein adsorption, unfolding, and/or protein-protein interactions (at long-term adsorption) as a function of protein concentration in solution. From a rheological point of view, the surface viscoelastic characteristics of soy globulin films adsorbed at the air-water interface are practically elastic. The main conclusion is that the dilatational properties of the adsorbed films depend on the molecular structure of the protein.     

Study on the properties of a polyvinylacetate film at the air-water interface

Isotherms of surface pressure against surface area for a polyvinylacetate (PVAc) film at the air-water interface were determined at 20.52°C. Measurements of surface moment, hysteresis, and pressure relaxation in a constant area were subsequently conducted at appropriate area regions for elucidation of the correlation of properties and conformations of PVAc film. It is concluded that the film is stable and exhibits a perfectly reversible compression in the areas larger than 13 Ų/repeat-unit but assumes three different conformations for three regions (70-42), (42-25), and (25-13) Ų/repeat-unit, respectively. Finally, a twisting chain loop model is proposed for the interpretation of hysteresis and pressure relaxation occurring in the areas near and in the collapse region.     

Structural properties and Raman spectroscopy of lipid Langmuir monolayers at the air-water interface

Spectra of octadecylamine (ODA) Langmuir monolayers and egg phosphatidylcholine (PC)/ODA-mixed monolayers at the air-water interface have been acquired. The organization of the monolayers has been characterized by surface pressure-area isotherms. Application of polarized optical microscopy provides further insight in the domain structures and interactions of the film components. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) data indicate that enhancement in Raman spectra can be obtained by strong interaction between headgroups of the surfactants and silver particles in subphase. By mixing ODA with phospholipid molecules and spreading the mixture at the air-water interface, we acquired vibrational information of phospholipid molecules with surfactant-aided SERS effect.     

Thermodynamic properties of bromine fluorene derivatives: An experimental and computational study

This report presents a comprehensive experimental and computational study of the thermodynamic properties of two bromine fluorene derivatives: 2-bromofluorene and 2,7-dibromofluorene. The standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation in the crystalline phase of these compounds were derived from the standard molar energies of combustion, in oxygen, at T = 298.15 K, measured by rotating bomb combustion calorimetry. The vapour pressures of the crystalline phase of the two compounds were measured using the Knudsen effusion method and a static method that has also been used to measure the liquid vapour pressures of 2-bromofluorene. From these results the standard molar enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs energies of sublimation of the two compounds studied and of vapourisation of 2-bromofluorene were derived. The enthalpies and temperatures of fusion were determined from DSC experiments. Derived results of standard enthalpies and Gibbs energies of formation, in both gaseous and crystalline phases, were compared with the ones reported in the literature for fluorene.The experimental values of the gas-phase enthalpies of formation of each compound were compared with estimates based on density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP hybrid exchange–correlation energy functional with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set.     

Adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the air-water interface: molecular dynamics simulations and experimental atmospheric observations

Adsorption of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene at the aqueous surface is investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Potentials of mean force, i.e., free energy profiles obtained when moving the studied molecules across an aqueous slab were evaluated. In all cases, deep surface free energy minima, corresponding to orders of magnitude of surface enhancement of the aromatic molecule, were located. This enhancement, which increases with the size of the solute, points to the importance of the aqueous surface for the chemistry of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Supporting evidence in the atmospheric environment related to the heterogeneous chemistry of PAHs on water droplets and planar surfaces is summarized. There is good agreement between the hydration free energies computed from MD calculations and the experimentally determined values. Data pertaining to the importance of the air-water interface in the adsorption and transport of PAHs on micron sized water droplets are described. The relevant data on adsorption and reaction (ozonation and photochemical) at the air-water interface of planar surfaces and droplets are also summarized.     

Mechanical control of enantioselectivity of amino acid recognition by cholesterol-armed cyclen monolayer at the air-water interface

Monolayers of the cholesterol-armed cyclen Na+ complex at the air-water interface display a remarkable, surface pressure dependent enantioselectivity of amino acid recognition. Upon compression of the monolayer, the binding constants of amino acids increase accompanying an inversion of chiral selectivity from the d- to l-form in the case of valine.     

Monolayer characteristics of mixed octadecylamine and stearic acid at the air/water interface

Mixed monolayers of stearic acid (SA) and octadecylamine (ODA) at the air/water interface were investigated in this article. The miscibility of the two compounds was evaluated by the measurement of surface pressure-area per molecule (pi-A) isothems and the direct observation of Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) on the water surface. The two compounds were spread individually on the subphase (method 1) or premixed first in the spreading solvent and then cospread (method 2). The effect of spreading method on the miscibility of the two compounds was also studied. The results show that the mixed monolayers prepared by method 1 cannot get a well-mixed state. The isotherms of mixed monolayers preserve both characteristics of SA and ODA and exhibit two collapse points. The calculated excess surface area is very small. Besides, distinguished domains corresponding to those of pure SA and ODA can be inspected from the BAM images. Such results indicate that SA and ODA cannot get a well-mixed phase via 2-dimensional mixing. On the contrary, in the mixed monolayer prepared by cospreading, the two compounds exhibit high miscibility. In the pi-A isotherms, the individual characteristics of SA and ODA disappear. The calculated excess area exhibits a highly positive deviation which indicates the existence of special interaction between the two compounds. The low compressibility of isotherm implies the highly rigid characteristic of the mixed monolayer. which was also sustained by the striplike collapse morphology observed from the BAM. The rigid characteristic of SA/ODA mixed monolayer was attributed to the formation of "catanionic surfactant" by electrostatic adsorption of headgroups of SA and ODA or to the formation of salt by acid-base reaction.     

Modification of beta-lactoglobulin by oligofructose: impact on protein adsorption at the air-water interface

Maillard products of beta-lactoglobulin (betaLg) and fructose oligosaccharide (FOS) were obtained in different degrees of modification depending on incubation time and pH. By use of a variety of biochemical and spectroscopic tools, it was demonstrated that the modification at limited degrees does not significantly affect the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of betaLg. The consequence of the modification on the thermodynamics of the protein was studied using differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism, and by monitoring the fluorescence intensity of protein samples with different concentrations of guanidine-HCl. The modification leads to lowering of the denaturation temperature by 5 degrees C and a reduction of the free energy of stabilization of about 30%. Ellipsometry and drop tensiometry demonstrated that upon adsorption to air-water interfaces in equilibrium modified betaLg exerts a lower surface pressure than native betaLg (16 versus 22 mN/m). Moreover, the surface elastic modulus increased with increasing surface pressure but reached significantly smaller values in the case of FOS-betaLg. Compared to native betaLg, modification of the protein with oligofructose moieties results in higher surface loads and thicker surface layers. The consequences of these altered surface rheological properties are discussed in view of the functional behavior in technological applications.     

Co-adsorption of carboxymethyl-cellulose and cationic surfactants at the air-water interface

We investigated the interaction between an anionic polyelectrolyte (carboxymethylcellulose) and cationic surfactants (DTAB, TTAB, and CTAB) at the air/water interface, using surface tension, ellipsometry, and Brewster angle microscopy techniques. At low surfactant concentration, a synergistic phenomenon is observed due to the co-adsorption of polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes at the interface, which decreases the surface tension. When the surfactant critical aggregation concentration (cac) is reached, the adsorption saturates and the thickness of the adsorbed monolayer remains constant until another characteristic surfactant concentration, C0, is reached, at which all the polymer charges are bound to surfactant in bulk. Above C0, the absorbed monolayer becomes much thicker, suggesting adsorption of bulk aggregates, which have become more hydrophobic due to charge neutralization.