Coexistence and growth of micellar species in a sugar-based surfactant/phenol mixture studied by analytical ultracentrifugation

Knowledge of the shape and size of surfactant micelles in the presence of small organic molecules is important for understanding the solubilization properties of micellar phases. In this work, structural information on micelles of mixed n-dodecyl-beta-d-maltoside (DM) and phenol, including the aggregation number, diffusion coefficient, and effective radius, was obtained using an analytical ultracentrifugation technique. The micelles were found to increase in size and undergo shape transition from quasispherical to cylindrical with an increase in the surfactant and phenol concentrations in the micellar phase. Importantly, the coexistence of different micellar species was observed in certain cases with the larger species double the size of the smaller one. Based on the results obtained, a two-step micellar growth model is proposed to describe the micelles shape transition in the system. In the first step, the micelles expand continuously, whereas in the second step, it undergoes a sudden shift from the existing micellar species to a larger species causing the coexistence of two micellar species. This micellar growth is attributed to molecular packing and intermicellar interaction energy parameters. The mechanism proposed can be applied to other mixed systems and utilized for devising chemicals for the efficient removal of pollutants.     

Self-aggregation and supramolecular structure investigations of Triton X-100 and SDP2S by NOESY and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy

The self-aggregation and supramolecular micellar structure of two surfactants in aqueous solution, the anionic surfactant SDP2S (sodium dodecyl dioxyethylene-2 sulfate) and the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (octylphenol-polyoxyethylene ether with 9.5 ethoxy groups), were investigated by NMR spectroscopy. The critical micellar concentration (CMC), the size, and shape of the aggregates were determined by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), while 2D NOESY NMR spectra were used to study the mutual spatial arrangement of surfactant molecules in the aggregated state. A nonlinear increase of the micellar hydrodynamic radius, indicating possible sphere-to-rod shape transition, was found for SDP2S at higher surfactant concentrations. Triton X-100 micelles were found to be almost spherical at low surfactant concentrations, but formation of ellipsoid shaped particles and/or micellar aggregation was observed at higher concentrations. The NOESY data show that at low concentration Triton X-100 forms a two-layer spherical structure in the micelles, with partially overlapping internal and external layers of Triton X-100 molecules and no distinct hydrophilic-hydrophobic boundary.     

Thermally cleavable surfactants based on furan-maleimide Diels-Alder adducts

Two new surfactant molecules are reported that contain thermally labile Diels-Alder adducts connecting the hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections of each molecule. The two surfactants possess identical hydrophobic dodecyl tail segments but have phenol and carboxylic acid hydrophilic headgroups, respectively. Deprotonation with potassium hydroxide affords the formation of water-soluble surfactants. Room temperature aqueous solutions of both surfactants exhibit classical surface-active agent behavior similar to common analagous alkylaryl surfactant molecules. Critical micelle concentrations have been determined for each surfactant through dynamic surface tension and dye solubilization techniques. Small-angle neutron scattering measurements of the aqueous surfactant solutions indicate the presence of spherical micelles with radii of 16.5 angstroms for the carboxylate and 18.8 angstroms for the phenolate. When these surfactants are exposed to elevated temperatures (>50 degrees C), the retro Diels-Alder reaction occurs, yielding hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments. Aqueous solutions of each surfactant subsequently exhibit a loss of all surface-active behavior and the micellar aggregates are no longer detectable.     

Local dynamics of micelles of new long-chain surfactants in aqueous media

The molecular dynamics, organization, and phase state of aqueous solutions of new long-chain cationic surfactants with saturated hydrocarbon radicals (from C₁₆ to C₂₂) containing one or two hydroxyl groups in their polar heads are studied by the spin-probe EPR spectroscopy. In the region of micellar solutions, local mobility of surfactant molecules slightly changes with an increase in the length of hydrocarbon radical, whereas the order parameter of micelles increases notably. The addition of two hydroxyl groups to the polar part of long-chain (C ₂₂) surfactant molecule considerably decreases local mobility and increases the ordering of micellar system compared to the micelles of analogous surfactant with one hydroxyl group. Phase transition from micellar to a solid state is observed in this system with a decrease in temperature. The addition of KCl to aqueous surfactant solution lowers the local mobility, increases the order parameter of micelles, and can cause changes in the phase state of a system. In the presence of salt, the correlation time of probe rotation and its order parameter depend on surfactant concentration. Apparently, this is explained by changes in the shape of micelles upon variations in surfactant concentration.     

Structure and dynamics of concentrated micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate

In micellar solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate, as the concentration of surfactants increases, the spheroid shape of the micelles changes from almost spherical to ellipsoidal with increasing ratio of half-axes ratio, and further the transition to cylindrical micelles occurs. The micelles in an aqueous solution can directly contact (compact aggregates) or be separated from one another by layers of intermicellar medium (periodical colloid structures). In the latter case, the thickness of the layer can significantly exceed the micelle size, and then no mutual correlation in micelle arrangement is observed. According to the data of small-angle X-ray scattering, the relationship between the surfactant concentration and formation of “quasi-crystalline” micellar structure is nonlinear, which can be due to both micelle aggregation processes and nonuniformity of their structure. The possible influence of ordered micellar structures on the diffusion mobility of micelles is shown.     

Abnormal micellar growth in sugar-based and ethoxylated nonionic surfactants and their mixtures in dilute regimes using analytical ultracentrifugation

To develop structure-property relationships for surfactants that control their adsorption, solubilization, and micellization behavior in mixed systems and to develop predictive models based on such relationships, it is necessary to acquire quantitative information on various species present in these complex systems. The analytical ultracentrifugation technique is selected for the first time to characterize the species present in mixed micellar solutions due to its powerful ability to separate particles on the basis of their size and shape. Two nonionic surfactants, n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside (DM) and nonyl phenol ethoxylated decyl ether (NP-10), and their 1:1 molar ratio mixture were investigated in this study. Micelles of the nonionic surfactants and their mixture are asymmetrical in shape at the critical micelle concentration (cmc). Interestingly, unlike ionic surfactants, the micellar growths of the nonionic surfactants were found to occur at concentrations immediately above the cmc. The results from both sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium experiments suggest coexistence of two types of micelles in nonyl phenol ethoxylated decyl ether solutions and in its mixture with n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside, while only one micellar species is present in n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside solutions. Type 1 micelles were primary micelles at the cmc, while type 2 micelles were elongated micelles. The differences in the micellar shapes of n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside and nonyl phenol ethoxylated decyl ether are attributed to packing parameters detected by their molecular structures.     

Determination of equilibrium distribution constants of phenol between surfactant micelles and water using ultrafiltering centrifuge tubes

Equilibrium distribution constants, K_s, of phenol between surfactant micelles and water have been determined by micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) using commercial ultrafiltering centrifuge tubes. Three surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether (C16E20) and cetylpiridinium chloride (CPC) were tested with a 10 000 molecular weight cut off (MWCO) membrane. Additionally, membranes of 5000 and 30 000 MWCO were used for CPC. A phenomenological mathematical model has been proposed for the batch MEUF process and checked with the experimental permeate or retentate composition. The model is based on two assumptions: monomeric molecules are not rejected by the membrane and the rejection of micelles is independent of the retentate concentration. The measured micelles rejections for different surfactants and the equivalent molecular weight of the micelles are correlated and they are not significantly affected by the addition of phenol. The estimates of K_s for SDS and CPC agree with previously reported values determined by other methods. K_s values for CPC, calculated using 5000, 10 000 and 30 000 MWCO membranes, have not been significantly different. K_s estimate has allowed to predict the phenol permeate concentration measured in continuous tangential MEUF experiments.     

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。     

Sphere‐to‐Rod Transitions in Cationic Micelles: Quaternary Ammonium Halides+Phenol+Water Systems

Viscosity measurements on aqueous micellar solutions of cationic surfactants containing phenol with and without sodium bromide were made to study the sphere‐to‐rod transitions. Effect of surfactant structure (nonpolar tail, polar head group sizes and counterion), temperature, and phenol and sodium bromide concentration on the viscosity behavior of the surfactant solution is discussed. The sphere‐to‐rod transition is usually indicated by a marked increase in viscosity. While low temperature, high surfactant concentration, presence of salt, and hydrophobic nature of surfactant all favor the formation of rod‐like micelles, the presence of phenol showed peculiar behavior. Initial additions of phenol (up to about 2.5 wt%) showed a marked increase in viscosity, independent of the nature and concentration of surfactant and temperature; lower viscosities were observed at higher phenol concentration. Conductance and sound velocity results support the viscosity results.     

Importance of micellar kinetics in relation to technological processes

The association of many classes of surface-active molecules into micellar aggregates is a well-known phenomenon. Micelles are in dynamic equilibrium, constantly disintegrating and reforming. This relaxation process is characterized by the slow micellar relaxation time constant, tau(2), which is directly related to the micellar stability. Theories of the kinetics of micelle formation and disintegration have been discussed to identify the gaps in our complete understanding of this kinetic process. The micellar stability of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles has been shown to significantly influence technological processes involving a rapid increase in interfacial area, such as foaming, wetting, emulsification, solubilization, and detergency. First, the available monomers adsorb onto the freshly created interface. Then, additional monomers must be provided by the breakup of micelles. Especially when the free monomer concentration is low, which is the case for many nonionic surfactant solutions, the micellar breakup time is a rate-limiting step in the supply of monomers. The Center for Surface Science & Engineering at the University of Florida has developed methods using stopped flow and pressure jump with optical detection to determine the slow relaxation time of micelles of nonionic surfactants. The results showed that the ionic surfactants such as SDS exhibit slow relaxation times in the range from milliseconds to seconds, whereas nonionic surfactants exhibit slow relaxation times in the range from seconds (for Triton X-100) to minutes (for polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers). The slow relaxation times are much longer for nonionic surfactants than for ionic surfactants, because of the absence of ionic repulsion between the head groups. The observed relaxation times showed a direct correlation with dynamic surface tension and foaming experiments. In conclusion, relaxation time data of surfactant solutions correlate with the dynamic properties of the micellar solutions. Moreover, the results suggest that appropriate micelles with specific stability or tau(2) can be designed by controlling the surfactant structure, concentration, and physicochemical conditions (e.g., salt concentration, temperature, and pressure). One can also tailor micelles by mixing anionic/cationic or ionic/nonionic surfactants for a desired stability to control various technological processes.     

CO2-Responsive wormlike micelles based on sodium oleate and hydrophobic tertiary amines

We reported two simple and novel CO₂-responsive surfactant wormlike micellar systems consisting of commercial anionic surfactant sodium oleate (NaOA) and common hydrophobic tertiary amine N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA). The conductivity, pH, and rheological measurements demonstrated the CO₂-sensitive flowing behavior and property, which were attributed to the spherical-wormlike micelles transition, verified by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) measurements. Moreover, the transition can be easily cycled more than three times without deterioration of viscosity. Combined with the species distribution curve and ¹H NMR spectra, a mechanism of the intermolecular electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effects was proposed.     

Small-angle neutron scattering of mixed ionic perfluoropolyether micellar solutions

Aqueous mixed micellar solutions of perfluoropolyether carboxylic salts with ammonium counterions have been studied by small-angle neutron scattering. Two surfactants differing in the tail length were mixed in proportions n2/n3 = 60/40 w/w, where n2 and n3 are the surfactants with two and three perfluoroisopropoxy units in the tail, respectively. The tails are chlorine-terminated. The mixed micellar solutions, in the concentration range 0.1-0.2 M and thermal interval 20-40 degrees C, show structural characteristics of the interfacial shell that are very similar to ammonium n2 micellar solutions previously investigated; thus, the physics of the interfacial region is dominated by the polar head and counterion. The shape and dimensions of the micelles are influenced by the presence of the n3 surfactant, whose chain length in the micelle is 2 A longer than that of the n2 surfactant. The n3 surfactant favors the ellipsoidal shape in the concentration range 0.1-0.2 M with a 1/2 ionization degree of n2 micelles. The very low surface charge of the mixed micelles is attributed to the increase in hydrophobic interactions between the surfactant tails, due to the longer n3 surfactant molecules in micelles. The closer packing of the tails decreases the micellar curvature and the repulsions between the polar heads, by surface charge neutralization of counterions migrating from the Gouy-Chapman diffuse layer, leading to micellar growth in ellipsoids with greater axial ratios.     

Binding constants and partial molar volumes of primary alcohols in sodium dodecylsulfate micelles

The densities of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol and 1-hexanol were measured in aqueous solutions of sodium dodecylsulfate at 25°C. The partial molar volumes of the alcohols at infinite dilution in the aqueous surfactants solutions were calculated and discussed using a mass-action model for the alcohol distribution between the aqueous and the micellar phase. The partial molar volumes of the alcohols in the aqueous and in the micellar phases, and the ratios between the binding constant and the aggregation number, were calculated. The partial molar volume for all the alcohols in micellar phase is 10 cm³-mol^–1 smaller than that in octane. This can be related to the strong hydrophilic interaction between the head groups of the alcohol and the micellized surfactant. From the extrapolated values of the distribution constant and the partial molar volumes in the aqueous and micellar phases, the standard partial molar volume of heptanol in micellar solutions was found to decrease with increasing surfactant concentration. The standard free energy of transfer of alcohols from water to micelles was rationalized in terms of hydrophilic and hydrophobic contributions. A model is proposed in which the empty space around each solute is assumed to be the same in the gas and liquid phases, and is used to explain the behavior of micelles in the presence of amphiphilic solutes.     

Evidence for micellar structure in the gas phase

We have compared micelles, reverse micelles, and reverse micelles encapsulating myoglobin using electrospray mass spectrometry. To enable a direct comparison, the same surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)) was used in each case and micelle formation was controlled by manipulating the aqueous and organic phases. Tandem mass spectra of the resulting micelle preparations reveal differences in the ions that dissociate: those that dissociate from regular micelles have undergone >90% exchange of bromide ions from the headgroup with acetate ions from bulk solvent. By contrast, for reverse micelles, ions are detected without exchange of bromide ions from the headgroup, consistent with their protection in the core of the micellar structure. Tandem mass spectra of micelles and reverse micelles reveal polydispersed assemblies containing several hundred CTAB molecules, indicating the coalescence of the micellar systems to form large assemblies. For reverse micelles incorporating myoglobin, spectra are consistent with one holo myogolobin molecule in association with approximately 270 CTAB molecules. Overall, therefore, our results show that the solution-phase orientation of surfactants is preserved during electrospray and are consistent with interactions being maintained between surfactants and an encapsulated protein.     

Spectroscopic investigations on the binding of ammonium salt of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid with non-ionic surfactant micelles in aqueous media

The anionic dye 8-anilino-1-napthalensulfonic acid ammonium salt, or ANS, was used as a fluorescent probe to investigate the behaviour of dye-surfactant interactions in aqueous solutions of Triton X-100 and the Brij and polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether (POE TDE) series of polyoxyethylene non-ionic surfactants. The fluorescence behaviour of the dye with the non-ionic surfactants was examined in micellar media. The concentration of surfactant was kept well above the cmc to investigate the interaction of the dye with surfactant micelles. In this investigation, the relative fluorescence enhancements, binding constants of the dye to the surfactant micelles and aggregation numbers of the micelles were determined, from the analysis of spectroscopic data.     

Mixed micelles of polyethylene glycol (23) lauryl ether with ionic surfactants studied by proton 1D and 2D NMR

(1)H NMR chemical shift, spin-lattice relaxation time, spin-spin relaxation time, self-diffusion coefficient, and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (2D NOESY) measurements have been used to study the nonionic-ionic surfactant mixed micelles. Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were used as the ionic surfactants and polyethylene glycol (23) lauryl ether (Brij-35) as the nonionic surfactant. The two systems are both with varying molar ratios of CTAB/Brij-35 (C/B) and SDS/Brij-35 (S/B) ranging from 0.5 to 2, respectively, at a constant concentration of 6 mM for Brij-35 in aqueous solutions. Results give information about the relative arrangement of the surfactant molecules in the mixed micelles. In the former system, the trimethyl groups attached to the polar heads of the CTAB molecules are located between the first oxy-ethylene groups next to the hydrophobic chains of Brij-35 molecules. These oxy-ethylene groups gradually move outward from the hydrophobic core of the mixed micelle with an increase in C/B in the mixed solution. In contrast to the case of the CTAB/Triton X-100 system, the long flexible hydrophilic poly oxy-ethylene chains, which are in the exterior part of the mixed micelles, remain coiled, but looser, surrounding the hydrophobic core. There is almost no variation in conformation of the hydrophilic chains of Brij-35 molecules in the mixed micelles of the SDS/Brij-35 system as the S/B increases. The hydrophobic chains of both CTAB and SDS are co-aggregated with Brij-35, respectively, in their mixed micellar cores.     

The interaction of isomeric hexanediols with sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles

The micelle formation process for a typical anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and a typical cationic surfactant, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, has been investigated in a series of mixed solvents consisting of different concentrations of isomeric hexanediols (1,2-hexanediol and 1,6-hexanediol) in water. The critical micelle concentrations and the degrees of counterion dissociation of the mixed micelles were obtained from conductance experiments. Luminescence probing experiments have been used to determine the concentration of micelles in solution and, hence, the micellar aggregation numbers of the surfactants in the mixed solvent systems. The alcohol aggregation numbers were determined by combining the partition coefficients (obtained using NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement experiments) with the micellar concentrations from the luminescence probing experiments. All these results are interpreted in terms of the difference in the interaction of the isomeric hexanediols with the surfactant as a function of the position of the hydroxyl groups on the six-carbon chain of the alcohol. Received: 28 June 2000/Accepted: 5 July 2000     

Micellar Formation Study of Crown Ether Surfactants

Fluorescence probe and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods were employed to investigate the micellation of prepared crown ether surfactants, e.g. decyl 15‐crown‐5 and decyl 18‐crown‐6. Pyrene was employed as the fluorescence probe to evaluate the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of these surfactants in aqueous solutions while spin lattice relaxation times (T₁) and chemical shifts of H‐1 NMR were applied in non‐aqueous solutions. Decyl 15‐crown‐5 with lower CMC forms micelles much easier than decyl 18‐crown‐6 with higher CMC in aqueous solutions, whereas decyl 18‐crown‐6 forms micelles easier than decyl 15‐crown‐5 in nonaqueous solutions. Comparison of the CMC of crown ether surfactants and other polyoxyethylene surfactants such as decylhexaethylene glycol was made. Effects of salts and solvents on the micellar formation were also investigated. In general, additions of both alkali metal salts and polar organic solvents into the aqueous surfactant solutions increased in the CMC of these surfactants. The formation of micelles in organic solvents such as methanol and acetonitrile was successfully observed by the NMR method while it was difficult to study these surfactants in organic solutions by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. The NMR study revealed that the formation of micelles resulted in the decrease in all H‐1 spin lattice relaxation times (T₁) of hydrophobic groups, e.g. CH₃ and CH₂, and hydrophilic group OCH₂ of these surfactants. However, upon the micellar formation, the H‐1 chemical shifts (δ) of these surfactant hydrophobic groups were found to shift to downfield (increased δ) while the chemical shift of the hydrophilic group OCH₂ moved to up‐field. Comparison of the spin lattice relaxation time and H‐1 chemical shift methods was also made and discussed.     

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).     

Thermodynamics of transfer of polar additives from the aqueous to the dodecylsurfactant micellar phases

The enthalpies of transfer from water to aqueous surfactant solutions, H(WW+S), of polar additives have been determined as a function of the surfactant concentration at fixed additive concentration. The surfactants used are sodium dodecylsulfate (NaDS), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide and dodecyldimethylamine oxide (DDAO). The additives used are iso-butanol t-butanol, butoxyethanol, phenol, benzene, tributylphosphine oxide (TBPO), octyldimethylphosphine oxide (ODPO), octydimethylamine oxide (ODAO), DDAO and NaDS. A maximum was observed in the plots of H(WW+S) vs. f_sm_s curves for ODPO and ODAO in NaDS while a small minimum was observed for TBPO. The experimental data are rationalized on the basis of the pseudo-phase transition model for the micellization process and a mass action model for the distribution of the additive between aqueous and micellar phases. The standard free energies, enthalpies and entropies of transfer of the additives from the aqueous to the micellar phases are reported. The effect of different butanol isomers on the thermodynamics of solubilization in the micellar phase has been derived. The enthalpies of transfer of benzene are always negligible with respect to those of phenol while the free energies of transfer are always comparable. Studies of symmetrical and asymmetrical additives show that asymmetry causes an increase of the free energy of transfer due to the decrease of the entropy. The thermodynamics of transfer of NaDS from the aqueous to the DDAO micellar phases and of DDAO from the aqueous to the NaDS micellar phases are compared to the thermodynamics of micellization of the two surfactants; the formation of mixed micelles seems to be energetically unfavored with respect to the pure micelles.