Reversible pH-triggered encapsulation and release of pyrene by adsorbed block copolymer micelles

The well-established ability of copolymer micelles to encapsulate and release hydrophobic molecules has been investigated following their adsorption onto silica particles. Here, a pH-responsive copolymer, poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)- b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMA(106)- b-PDEA(25)), has been used to study the formation and dissociation of adsorbed micelles through pH variation. This copolymer behaves as free unimers in aqueous solutions below pH 8 and forms micelles 29 nm in hydrodynamic diameter above this pH. Encapsulation and release of a model hydrophobic compound (pyrene) by in situ adjustment of the solution pH has been compared for both free and adsorbed micelles using fluorescence spectrophotometry, epifluorescence microscopy, and zeta potential measurements. At basic pH values, pyrene is solubilized within the cores of micelles adsorbed on silica particles: addition of acid leads to micelle dissociation and release of the pyrene into the bulk aqueous solution. Micelle adsorption does not appear to hinder the extent of pyrene uptake/release. Moreover, this pH-responsive behavior is both reversible and reproducible over multiple pH cycles.     

Evolution of polyaniline nanotubes: the oxidation of aniline in water

The course of aniline oxidation with ammonium peroxydisulfate in aqueous solutions has been investigated. The reaction was terminated at various times and the intermediates collected. Besides the precipitates, the films deposited in situ on silicon windows have also been studied. The kinetic course of polymerization is controlled by the acidity level, which changes during the polymerization from pH 8 to a final value close to pH 1. It has two distinct exothermic phases. Gel-permeation chromatography indicates that aniline oligomers are produced at first at high pH, while polyaniline follows after the pH becomes sufficiently low. The growth of polyaniline nanotubes was observed by optical microscopy and confirmed by electron microscopy. The molecular structure of the reaction intermediates was studied in detail by FTIR spectroscopy. Oxidation products are markedly sulfonated, and they contain phenazine units. Aniline oligomers are more soluble in chloroform than the polymer fraction, which contains nanotubes.     

Spectroscopic investigations on the photodegradation of toluidine blue dye using cadmium sulphide nanoparticles prepared by a novel method

A novel method to prepare cadmium sulphide nanoparticles (CdS NPs) possessing nearly uniform size was adopted using eggshell membrane (ESM), under different pH conditions. Significant yield of CdS NPs with smallest possible size was obtained by increasing the pH of the reaction medium from acidic to alkaline. The above prepared CdS NPs have been characterized by UV-vis absorption as well as emission spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The efficiency of the above prepared CdS NPs as a catalyst for the photodegradation of toluidine blue (TB) dye, as a function of pH as well as the ratio between the catalyst and the substrate was studied after irradiation with UV light. The results showed that an efficient interaction took place between the catalyst and the substrate to cause degradation of the selected dye. A maximum degradation of toluidine blue dye (90%) was observed at pH 8 which is higher than that of the efficiencies at pH 4 and pH 6.     

Influence of pH on the synthesis ZnO nanorods and photocatalytic hydrogen production from glycerol solution

Photocatalytic oxidation of glycerol at ambient conditions has been investigated with the use of Zinc oxide photocatalysts. Zinc oxide nanorods were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method using zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide in the solution pH of 7, 8 and 9. The samples prepared in this way were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). The pH of the solution is 7, the sample contains zinc hydroxide nitrate hydrated. When the pH of solution was adjusted to 8 and 9, the samples consisted of pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO without impurity detection. The influence of solution pH on hydrogen formation was investigated. The wurtzite ZnO nanorods synthesized in a solution with pH 9 are considered promising photocatalysts for hydrogen production under xenon radiation.     

EDTA-柠檬酸法合成的SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3-δ钙钛矿的结构及制氧性能研究

采用EDTA-柠檬酸联合络合法合成了钙钛矿型金属氧化物SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ(SCF182)粉体。通过XRD和ESEM研究了前驱体溶液不同的pH值对合成的SCF182粉体的晶体结构和微观形貌的影响。并采用固定床实验研究前驱体溶液pH值对SCF182的氧吸附/脱附性能的影响。结果表明,pH值对SCF182晶胞结构和参数影响不大,但影响SCF182的晶粒粒径和微观形貌,当pH值为8的弱碱性条件下时,能够合成蓬松多孔网状纳米结构的钙钛矿粉体。固定床实验显示,前驱体溶液的pH值影响合成的粉体SCF182的氧吸附速率;且SCF182的氧脱附性能随pH值的增大先升高后降低,pH值为8时氧脱附量达到峰值为42.2 mg/g。     

Synthesis of Novel Thermo‐ and pH‐Responsive Poly(L‐lysine)‐Based Copolymer and its Micellization in Water

A series of novel temperature and pH responsive block copolymers composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(L ‐lysine) (PLL) were synthesized. The effect of pH and the length of PLL on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, and the self‐assembly of these PLL‐based copolymers induced by temperature and pH changes were investigated by the cloud point method, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). These PNIPAM‐b‐PLL copolymers can self‐assemble into micelle‐like aggregates with PNIPAM as the hydrophobic block at acidic pH and high temperatures; and at alkaline pH and low temperatures, they can self‐assemble into particles with PLL as the hydrophobic block. The copolymers may have potential applications in biotechnological and biomedical areas as drug release carriers.

     

pH-dependent chiral vesicles from enantiomeric sodium 2,3-bis(decyloxy) succinate in aqueous solution

Enantiomeric, twin-tailed, twin-chiral, sodium (2R,3R)-(+)-bis(decyloxy)succinate and sodium (2S,3S)-(-)-bis(decyloxy)succinate have been synthesized and characterized. Surface tension, conductivity, and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopic measurements confirmed the presence of two aggregation concentrations, namely, the critical micellar concentration (CMC) and the critical vesicle concentration (CVC). The compounds behaved as true surfactants, with a CMC of 0.05 mM, and formed vesicles spontaneously in aqueous solution at a CVC of 0.14 mM. The compounds formed myelin figures in contact experiments, suggesting the formation of bilayers in aqueous solution culminating into individual vesicles. The vesicles were of 500-800 nm size and formed egg shells, porous spheres, and multivesicular vesicles, confirmed from transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopic techniques. The vesicles were found to be pH sensitive, were stable in the pH range 6-8, and formed the insoluble diacid at acidic pH due to protonation of the carboxylate head groups.     

Electrostatic effects on nanofiber formation of self-assembling peptide amphiphiles

Self-assembling peptide amphiphile molecules have been of interest to various tissue engineering studies. These molecules self-assemble into nanofibers which organize into three-dimensional networks to form hydrocolloid systems mimicking the extracellular matrix. The formation of nanofibers is affected by the electrostatic interactions among the peptides. In this work, we studied the effect of charged groups on the peptides on nanofiber formation. The self-assembly process was studied by pH and zeta potential measurements, FT-IR, circular dichroism, rheology, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The aggregation of the peptides was triggered upon neutralization of the charged residues by pH change or addition of electrolyte or biomacromolecules. Understanding the controlled formation of the hydrocolloid gels composed of peptide amphiphile nanofibers can lead us to develop in situ gel forming bioactive collagen mimetic nanofibers for various tissue engineering studies including bioactive surface coatings.     

Synthesis and Aqueous Self‐Assembly of a Polyferrocenylsilane‐block‐poly(aminoalkyl methacrylate) Diblock Copolymer

Water‐soluble cylindrical micelles with an organometallic core are formed by self‐assembly of the first polyferrocenylsilane‐block‐polyacrylate block copolymer, synthesized by anionic polymerization, in water at pH 8. A transmission electron microscopy image of the micelles is shown in the Figure.     

pH-responsive self-assembly and conformational transition of partially propyl-esterified poly(alpha,beta-L-aspartic acid) as amphiphilic biodegradable polyanion

Poly(alpha,beta-L-aspartate) (PAsp) was partially esterified to afford an amphiphilic biodegradable polyanion, poly(sodium aspartate-co-propyl aspartate) (PAsp-Na/PAsp-P). The synthesized polyanion could be assembled into the nano-scaled aggregates in aqueous medium. The aggregate morphologies were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as a function of pH. It was demonstrated that micellization of this random copolymer occurred with stimulus of pH changes to form various morphological micelles. The copolymer existed as precipitate at low pH (pH<2). When pH increased to 4, the polymers were associated into spherical micelles with the core of poly(propyl aspartate) (PAsp-P) hydrophobic units and shell of some negatively charged poly(sodium aspartate) (PAsp-Na) units. At higher pH (pH>5), toroidal nanostructures of the micelles were formed because rigid polyamide chains directly assemble into the large hollow spheres. The CD study showed that the conformation underwent a transition between alpha-helix and random coil at pH 3-7. The cooperative transitions were regulated by the degree of ionization of carboxylic side chains. When they were protonated (neutralized), the molecular backbone was in favor of the regular helical structure; when deprotonated (ionized), the electrostatic repulsions among side chains destabilized the intramolecular hydrogen bonds, thus randomizing the regular conformation.     

Influence du pH sur les proprietes chimiques et structurales des films d'oxyde formes sur l'acier 316L et les alliages 600 et 690 dans les milieux aqueux a haute temperature

Influence of pH on the chemical and structural properties of the oxide films formed on 316L stainless steel, alloy 600 and alloy 690 in high temperature aqueous environments. The oxide films formed on 316L stainless steel, alloy 600 and alloy 690 at 320°C in high temperature aqueous environments of different pH have been examined by glow discharge optical spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and capacitance measurements. The analytical study reveals that the films formed at pH 5 are mainly composed of chromium oxides. When the pH increases the chromium concentration decreases and those of the other two elements (Ni and Fe) tend to increase. The films formed at pH 5 on 316L stainless steel and alloy 600 are thick and powder-like. The film formed at the same pH on alloy 690 is thin and is composed of a compact protective inner layer and a less-compact outer layer formed by crystals of mixed iron-nickel-chromium oxides. The morphological appearance of the thick films and that of the thin films is very different. However, equivalent morphologies can be observed for the relatively thin duplex films formed at pH8 and pH9.5 on the 316L stainless steel and nickel-base alloys. The evolution of the chemical composition of the films is accompanied by important changes from the point of view of their semiconductivity.     

A ratiometric optical imaging probe for intracellular pH based on modulation of europium emission

A set of three pH-responsive ratiometric Eu(III)complexes has been synthesised incorporating a coordinated azathioxanthone sensitiser and a pH dependent alkylsulfonamide moiety. Emission properties, anion binding affinities, pH response curves and protein binding constants were studied in detail in aqueous media, and solutions containing various concentrations of interfering anions and protein were also examined. The complex, [EuL3] exhibited some interference from protein and endogenous anions, e.g. lactate and hydrogen carbonate, but possessed a protonation constant of 7.2 in human serum solution. A suitable calibration curve was obtained and was used to determine the local pH using a 680/589 nm intensity ratio vs. pH plot. Confocal fluorescence microscopy images revealed fast uptake of the complex and a well distributed localisation within the cell; fast egress also occurred. Ribosomal localisation, with a high concentration within the protein-dense nucleoli was observed, in a similar manner to structurally related complexes bearing the same coordinated sensitising moiety. An IC(50) value of 67 (+/-20) microM was estimated using an MTT assay. Selected emission band ratio versus pH plots allow pH measurement in the range 6 to 8, enabling intracellular pH to be measured by microscopy. A value of 7.4 was estimated for NIH 3T3 cells in the protein rich regions of the nucleolus and ribosomes.     

Study of properties of modified silicones at solid-liquid interface: fabric-silicone interactions

Silicones are special reagents that impart desired surface properties such as softness, bounciness and antiwrinkle properties to fabrics and related materials. Although these finishing processes have been practiced routinely, very little is known about the mechanisms involved in modification so that they could be improved. The current study was undertaken to develop basic understanding of the mechanisms responsible for surface modification of fibers using silicones. PDMS based amino silicone emulsions, quaternized to various degrees using dimethyl sulphate, were used in the present study. The electrokinetic properties of the modified silicones were studied as a function of pH. It was expected that the silicone emulsions would show a steady positive zeta potential throughout the pH range due to the quaternization by dimethyl sulphate. Surprisingly, a sudden drop in the zeta potential was observed around pH 8 with the samples turning hazy in the pH range of 8-10. Turbidimetric studies also showed a sudden increase in the turbidity in the pH range 8-10 where commercial processes also encounter problems. It was concluded that the emulsions were destabilized at pH 8-10 thus rendering them ineffective for surface treatment. In order to identify reason for the improvement in fabric properties, fiber structure was monitored using atomic force microscopy. It was observed that the treated fibers were far smoother, relaxed and uniform as compared to the untreated fibers. Thus the morphology of the fabric is modified in a specific way by treatment with specialty silicones.     

离子凝胶反应法制备壳聚糖/N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖微球

以一氯乙酸与壳聚糖反应形成N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖两性聚电解质,分光光度法测定其等电点IEP=2．86。以此两性聚电解质与壳聚糖可以在一定条件下形成微球,光学显微镜和电子显微镜测试表明,控制两种聚电解质配比可以制备不同粒径大小的微球,而超声功率对微球粒径的影响较小。红外光谱测试表明微球中N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖羧基以羧酸根形式存在,分光光度与电导法联合测定表明两种聚电解质以离子凝胶作用形成微球,其最佳制备条件为IEP（CM-CHITOSAN）〈pH〈pKa（CS）,在此较宽的pH值范围内微球可稳定存在。     

纳米片状ZnO的室温制备及其胶状前体的稳定性分析

以醋酸锌和氢氧化钠为原料,采用室温直接沉淀法得到了ZnO的前体胶状醋酸锌碱式盐,通过控制pH值,在室温下分别制备了碱式盐Zn5(OH)8(Ac)2·2H2O和六方晶系纤锌矿ZnO,并利用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜和能谱(EDS)等测试技术对产物进行表征。 结果表明,采用直接沉淀法在pH值为7的环境下得到了具有{n{[Zn5(OH)8(H2O)2]2+}·(2n-x)Ac-}x+·xAc-胶团结构的稳定胶体体系,室温下干燥后的产物的成分为碱式盐Zn5(OH)8(Ac)2·2H2O;而在pH值为14时,胶状前体发生聚沉生成白色沉淀,室温干燥后得到纳米片状ZnO。 还考察了pH值对胶状前体稳定性的影响,并探讨了ZnO的生成机理。     

Adsorption of block polyampholyte micelles in monolayers at the silicon water interface

 The adsorption of the diblock polyampholyte poly (methacrylic acid)-block-poly((dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) from aqueous solution on silicon substrates was investigated as a function of polymer concentration and pH. Dynamic light scattering and electrokinetic measurements were used to characterize the polyampholyte in solution. The amount of polymer adsorbed was determined by ellipsometry and lateral structures of the polymer layer were investigated by scanning force microscopy. The amount of polymer adsorbed was found to be strongly influenced by the pH of the polymer solution, while the size of the polyampholyte micelles adsorbed on the surface was hardly affected by pH during adsorption. From investigations by scanning force microscopy well-seperated micelles were seen in the dried monolayers adsorbed directly from solution. The structures at the surface are correlated to structures in solution, and the adsorbed amount depends on the relative charge of the micelles and the surface. Received: 13 September 1999 Accepted in revised form: 8 December 1999     

酸碱度调控氧化锌纳米材料形貌及其光催化还原CO2研究

利用水热法合成了形貌可控的氧化锌(ZnO)微纳材料。利用X射线衍射(XRD),扫描电子显微镜(SEM),透射电子显微镜(TEM),紫外-可见(UV-Vis)分光光谱和比表面积分析(BET)等技术对所制备的ZnO材料进行了表征。不同酸碱度(pH值)条件下,经过500 ℃退火2 h制备的ZnO均为纤锌矿结构。随着前驱液pH值的增加,所得ZnO从片状晶体变为棒状晶体。片状ZnO主要暴露极性晶面,棒状ZnO主要暴露非极性晶面。从生长角度考虑,在溶液为弱酸性条件下(pH 6.5),溶液中游离的氯离子(Cl^-)抑制了ZnO在锌极性面({Zn²⁺}_{crystal surface})的生长,水热反应产物为片状Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O,退火后得到微孔片状ZnO;当溶液中添加氢氧根(OH^-)后,锌离子(Zn²⁺)被络合为四羟基锌络合离子(Zn(OH)₄^2-),该络离子促进了ZnO在{Zn²⁺}_{crystal surface}的生长,从而得到棒状晶体。利用上述催化剂,在氙灯照射下进行光催化还原二氧化碳实验,发现极性面较多的片状ZnO具有更高的光催化性能。     

A novel drug carrier: lipophilic drug-loaded polyglutamate/polyelectrolyte nanocontainers

A novel lipophilic drug carrier, "oil-in-water" multifunctional composite nanocontainers, is developed by combining ultrasonic technique and layer-by-layer assembly. Polyglutamate/polyethyleneimine/poly(acrylic acid) nanocontainers loaded with the lipophilic drug, rifampicin, dissolved in soybean oil were fabricated. Raman confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy proved the successful incorporation of rifampicin into composite water-dispersible polyglutamate/polyelectrolyte nanocontainers. Transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that the drug can be released by changing the pH value of the media due to the pH-responsive properties of the polyglutamate/polyelectrolyte shell.     

Physical and chemical stability of marine lipid-based liposomes under acid conditions

Liposomes made from a marine lipid extract containing a high polyunsaturated fatty lipid ratio were submitted to large pH variations, ranging from 1 to 8. Shape transformations were followed by video microscopy using giant liposomes and micromanipulation experiments. Acidification induced a decrease of the vesicle size simultaneous to the appearance of invaginations. These pH-dependent structural rearrangements were interpreted in terms of osmotic shocks and chemical modifications of the membranes. Liposomes produced by direct filtration were studied using turbidity measurements and optical microscopy observations. A low pH led to an instantaneous vesicle aggregation and to complex supramolecular and/or morphological changes as a function of time. The subsequent buffer neutralization of the liposome suspensions induced a partial reversion of the aggregation phenomenon while the structural membrane rearrangements were persisting. Furthermore, weak chemical degradations (oxidation and hydrolysis) were evidenced when the vesicles were incubated at low pH up to a 24-h incubation time. Thus, although acidification revealed liposome size and shape changes, the bilayer structure was maintained indicating that marine lipid-based liposomes could be used as oral administration vectors.     

Characterization and microhardness of Co−W coatings electrodeposited at different pH using gluconate bath: A comparative study

Electrodeposition of Co–W alloy coatings has been carried out with DC and PC using gluconate bath at different pH. These coatings are characterized for their structure, morphology and chemical composition by X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Alloy coatings plated at pH8 are crystalline, whereas coatings electrodeposited at pH5 are nanocrystalline in nature. XPS studies have demonstrated that as‐deposited alloy plated at pH8 with DC contain only Co²⁺ and W⁶⁺ species, whereas that alloy plated at pH5 has significant amount of Co⁰ and W⁰ along with Co²⁺ and W⁶⁺ species. Again, Co²⁺ and W⁶⁺ are main species in all as‐deposited PC plated alloys in both pH. Co⁰ concentration increases upon successive sputtering of all alloy coatings. In contrast, mainly W⁶⁺ species is detected in the following layers of all alloys plated with PC. Alloys plated at pH5 show higher microhardness compared to their pH8 counterparts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.