Structural investigation of the confinement of finite amounts of trehalose in water-containing sodium Bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate reversed micelles

The structural effect of trehalose confined in water-containing sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reversed micelles at water to AOT molar ratio W = 5 and 10 as a function of the trehalose to AOT molar ratio T (0 < T < 0.1) has been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). SANS data analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that trehalose is encapsulated within the quite spherical hydrophilic micellar cores of water-containing reversed micelles, causing an increase of the aggregate size and a decrease of the polydispersion. Moreover, SANS results suggest that the trehalose confinement in water-containing reversed micelles involves marked changes on the molecular packing of the water-containing micellar cores. In particular, according to the obtained findings, we can hypothesize the intercalation of the trehalose molecules between the polar surfactant headgroups. The preferential solubilization in this specific nanodomain could explain the trehalose capability to prevent, upon dehydration, the transition to a gel phase, hindering serious damage to biostructures.     

Physicochemical investigation of cobalt–iron cyanide nanoparticles synthesized by a novel solid–solid reaction in confined space

Cobalt–iron cyanide (Co_x[Fe(CN)₆]) nanoparticles have been synthesized by a novel solid–solid reaction in the confined space of dry sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reversed micelles dispersed in n-heptane. The reaction has been carried out by mixing two dry AOT/n-heptane solutions containing CoCl₂ and K₄Fe(CN)₆ or K₃Fe(CN)₆ nanoparticles in the micellar core, respectively. By UV-Vis spectroscopy it was ascertained that, after the mixing process, the formation of stable nanoparticles is fast and complete. Microcalorimetric measurements of the thermal effect due to the Co_x[Fe(CN)₆] nanoparticle formation allowed the determination of the stoichiometric ratio (x) and of the molar enthalpy of reaction in the core of AOT reversed micelles. The observed behavior suggests the occurrence of confinement effects and surfactant adsorption on the nanoparticle surface. Further structural information was achieved by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. From all liquid samples, interesting salt/AOT composites were prepared by simple evaporation of the apolar solvent. Size, crystal structure, and electronic properties of Co_x[Fe(CN)₆] nanoparticles containing composites were obtained by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

AOT反相胶束介质中敏化稀土离子荧光: 嘌呤类化合物为能量给体

研究了反相胶束体系中敏化Tb^3^+的离子荧光。在AOT/C6H12H2O反相胶束溶液中[AOT: 琥珀酸二(2-乙基己基)酯磺酸钠]发生了非常有效的从茶碱的三重态到Tb^3^+的4f能层的能量转移, 并敏化稀土离子Tb^3^+产生离子荧光。而在阳离子表面活性剂CTAB形成的反相胶束体系中, 只能观察到较弱的Tb^3^+的离子荧光。表明在AOT反相胶束中Tb^3^+是键合在磺酸头基上, 有利于能量转移过程, 显著增强Tb^3^+的离子荧光。通过发光光谱和寿命测量, 详细讨论了AOT浓度和水泡大小(W值)等对敏化离子荧光的影响, 表明与Tb^3^+离子水合的水分子的高频OH振动猝灭Tb^3^+的离子发光, 该猝灭过程属静态猝灭。在较低的AOT浓度和较小的W值下, 可观察到较强的Tb^3^+离子荧光, 并建立了AOT反相胶束中五种嘌呤类化合物的分析方法, 检出限在8.0×10^-^9～8.0×10^-^7mol.dm^-^3之间。     

Catalytic Activity of Hexokinase in Reversed Micelles

Reversed micelles can control the size of water pools and the physical property of water by changing W(0)(=[water]/[surfactant]). Hexokinase (HK) activity seems to be easily affected by the microenvironment in the neighborhood of the enzyme because it is assumed that HK binds to the outer mitochondrial membrane by insertion of its hydrophobic NH(2) tail. The catalytic activity of HK was examined in reversed micelles in order to study the effect of the microenvironment in the neighborhood of HK on the activity. Sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT), hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (HTAC), and octaoxyethylene dodecyl ether (C(12)E(8)) were used as anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, respectively. HK activity was obtained by measuring ATP and ADP amounts with HPLC. The high electrostatic inner surfaces of AOT and HTAC reversed micelles were not favorable for HK to exhibit the catalytic activity, but the activity in HTAC reversed micelles was 2-3 times higher than that in AOT reversed micelles and the activities in both reversed micelles revealed an optimum at W(0)=10. The phenomenon was discussed in connection with the location of HK, nonuniform distribution of substrates, and the size and physical properties of the water pools. On the other hand, HK activity was much higher in C(12)E(8) reversed micelles than in AOT and HTAC reversed micelles and increased with the concentration of C(12)E(8). This suggests that HK activity is easily revealed in hydrated ethylene oxide chains. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that HK activity depends on the microenvironment such as the electrostatic field, the physical properties of water, and the hydrophobicity. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

STATIC and TIME-RESOLVED FLUORESCENCE OF AN AMPHIPHILIC FLAVIN IN AEROSOL OT REVERSED MICELLES

Spectral and time-resolved fluorescence studies have been carried out on N(3)-undecyllumi-flavin dispersed in reversed micelles composed of the surfactant sodium di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (Aerosol OT, AOT), various amounts of water and n -heptane as continuous phase. The fluorescence spectral properties (spectral distribution, quantum efficiencies and lifetimes) as function of the water to AOT molar ratio suggest that the flavin occupies a position within the surfactant boundary layer in close contact with water. The fluorescence anisotropy exhibits biexponential decay with a short (0.3 ns) and a longer (1.6–2.4 ns) correlation time. The contribution of the short component increases with the growth of the droplet providing evidence for enhanced flexibility of the flavin in the interfacial layer.     

Structural and dynamical investigation of gelation containing water-in-oil microemulsions

The gelatin (Bloom 300)/water/AOT/n-heptane system has been investigated at fixed water/AOT molar ratioR (R=31.1) as a function of the gelatin content. Several experimental techniques (densitometry, refractometry, conductometry, rheology, dielectrometry, ultrasonics, hypersonics) have been used to investigate the role played by the gelatin molecule in the observed sol-gel transition above a critical gelatin content. The results appear consistent with the hypothesis of a rigid network of gelatin-water rods coated by surfactant molecules coexisting with gelatin-free AOT reversed micelles at the gelation point.     

Nanostructure of open water-channel reversed micelles. I. 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling

A recently proposed model for the rodlike reversed micelles of nickel(II) bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate is examined in greater detail using 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. 1H NMR spectra show that the solubilized water molecules are situated in a different environment compared with the water molecules in classical (AOT) reversed micelles. Geometry optimization and molecular dynamics simulation clearly indicate that the water molecules are not located in the interior core of the reversed micelles, but instead the water molecules exist in compartments or channels in the surface of these rodlike reversed micelles, thereby confirming the open water-channel model of reversed micelles. Molecular modeling was also employed to examine the effects of surfactant molecular structure, cosurfactant, solvent aromaticity, and temperature on the nanostructure of the reversed micellar aggregates. It is significant that molecular modeling provides an interpretation of the nanostructure of reversed micellar aggregates that is consistent with a variety of known experimental observations reported in the liquid/liquid extraction literature. These findings show that the structure of reversed micelles is much richer at the nanoscale level than previously recognized.     

Oxidative refolding of reduced, denatured lysozyme in AOT reverse micelles

The refolding kinetics of the reduced, denatured hen egg white lysozyme in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)-isooctane-water reverse micelles at different water-to-surfactant molar ratios has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and UV spectroscopy. The oxidative refolding of the confined lysozyme is biphasic in AOT reverse micelles. When the water-to-surfactant molar ratio (omega 0) is 12.6, the relative activity of encapsulated lysozyme after refolding for 24 h in AOT reverse micelles increases 46% compared with that in bulk water. Furthermore, aggregation of lysozyme at a higher concentration (0.2 mM) in AOT reverse micelles at omega 0 of 6.3 or 12.6 is not observed; in contrast, the oxidative refolding of lysozyme in bulk water must be at a lower protein concentration (5 microM) in order to avoid a serious aggregation of the protein. For comparison, we have also investigated the effect of AOT on lysozyme activity and found that the residual activity of lysozyme decreases with increasing the concentration of AOT from 1 to 5 mM. When AOT concentration is larger than 2 mM, lysozyme is almost completely inactivated by AOT and most of lysozyme activity is lost. Together, our data demonstrate that AOT reverse micelles with suitable water-to-surfactant molar ratios are favorable to the oxidative refolding of reduced, denatured lysozyme at a higher concentration, compared with bulk water.     

Dynamics of low temperature induced water shedding from AOT reverse micelles

The effects of low temperature and ionic strength on water encapsulated within reverse micelles were investigated by solution NMR. Reverse micelles composed of AOT and pentane and solutions with varying concentrations of NaCl were studied at temperatures ranging from 20 degrees C to -30 degrees C. One-dimensional (1)H solution NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor the quantity and structure of encapsulated water. At low temperatures, e.g., -30 degrees C, reverse micelles lose water at rates that are dependent on the ionic strength of the aqueous nanopool. The final water loading (w0 = [water]/[surfactant]) of the reverse micelles is likewise dependent on the ionic strength of the aqueous phase. Remarkably, water resonance(s) at temperatures between -20 degrees C and -30 degrees C displayed fine structure indicating the presence of multiple transient water populations. Results of this study demonstrate that reverse micelles are an excellent vehicle for studies of confined water across a broad range of conditions, including the temperature range that provides access to the supercooled state.     

Complex formation in Aerosol OT reversed micelles between sodium counterion and Kryptofix 221D macrobicyclic ligand

The interaction between 5-decyl-4,7,13,16,21-pentaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo-[8,8,5]-tricosan (Kryptofix 221D) and reversed micelles of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) in n-heptane as a function of AOT and water concentration was investigated by a calorimetric technique. The solubilization of the cryptand in the reversed AOT micelles produces an exothermic effect that increases with R (R=[water]/[AOT]) and is slightly dependent on AOT concentration. Processes due to the formation of a 1:1 complex between the cryptand and the sodium counterion of the AOT and to the transfer of Kryptofix 221D from bulk n-heptane to the micellar palisade layer have been taken into account to rationalize the experimental results. The peculiar solvation state of the sodium counterions near the water-AOT interface has also been considered.In part from the Doctor in Biology thesis of F. Pinio in the University of Palermo.     

Photoreactive surfactants: a facile and clean route to oxide and metal nanoparticles in reverse micelles

A new class of photoreactive surfactants (PRSs) is presented here, consisting of amphiphiles that can also act as reagents in photochemical reactions. An example PRS is cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate (Co(EH)(2)), which forms reverse micelles (RMs) in a hydrocarbon solvent, as well as mixed reversed micelles with the standard surfactant Aerosol-OT (AOT). Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data show that mixed AOT/PRS RMs have a spherical structure and size similar to that of pure AOT micelles. Excitation of the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) band in the PRSs promotes electron transfer from PRS to associated metal counterions, leading to the generation of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles inside the RMs. This work presents proof of concept for employing PRSs as precursors to obtain nearly monodisperse inorganic nanoparticles: here both Co(3)O(4) and Bi nanoparticles have been synthesized at high metal concentration (10(-2) M) by simply irradiating the RMs. These results point toward a new approach of photoreactive self-assembly, which represents a clean and straightforward route to the generation of nanomaterials.     

Surfactant effect on enhancing (S)-naproxen prodrug production from racemic naproxen by lipase

In the enantioselective esterification of racemic naproxen with 4(2-hydroxyethyl) morpholine by Lipase MY in organic solvents, a productivity improvement of the desired (S)-naproxen ester from 0.42 to 0.72 mM at the reaction time of 130 h was observed, when the surfactantbis (2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) was added in the reaction mixture. The presence of a small amount of exogenously added water dramatically activated the enzyme in AOT/cyclohexane-reversed micelles. Desorption of the surfactant molecule from the enzyme mass and solubilization of the enzyme into reversed micelles were used to elucidate an existing maximum of the initial rate of (S)-naproxen synthesis with the water content. Moreover, the effects of alcohol and surfactant concentration on the enzyme activity are reported.     

Calorimetric study of the alpha-tocopherol solubility in reversed AOT micelles

The experimental data of heat of mixing (Q) for heterogeneous system alpha-tocopherol/AOT/n-heptane with and without water at 25 degrees C are presented. The Q dependence on AOT (sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) concentration, and R parameter defined as R=[H2O]/[AOT] with flow calorimetric method were investigated. Using the D'Aprano model (which is formally identical to that used earlier by Magid et al.) the binding constant (K), the distribution constant of alpha-tocopherol (K distr) between hydrocarbon and the micellar phase, and the standard enthalpy of transfer (DeltaH tr 0) of alpha-tocopherol from the hydrocarbon to AOT reversed micelles were calculated. The solubility of alpha-tocopherol in AOT reversed micelles explored with the calorimetric technique was compared to the literature data obtained respectively with UV spectrophotometry for reversed micelles and by other techniques for the phospholipid bilayer.     

Calorimetric investigation of the formation of ZnS nanoparticles in w/o microemulsions

The enthalpies of precipitation of ZnS nanoparticles within water containing reversed micelles of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) solfosuccinate, L-α phosphatidylcholine, tetraethyleneglycol-mono-n-dodecyl ether and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide as a function of the molar concentration ratioR (R=[water]/[surfactant]) were measured by calorimetric technique. The results indicate that the energetic state of ZnS nanoparticles confined in the aqueous core of the reversed micelles is different from that in bulk water. Effects due to nanoparticle size, adsorption of HS⁻ ions on the nanoparticle surface and interactions between nanoparticles and water/surfactant interfaces are discussed. This work has been supported by MURST.     

反胶束法合成CdS纳米粒子及其表征

以AOT为保护剂,采用反胶束法合成CdS纳米粒子。利用水洗法洗去保护剂AOT,通过加入不同量的无水乙醇调节分散介质的极性,改变CdS纳米粒子在分散介质中的"溶解度",从而实现不同尺寸粒子的分离。采用紫外-可见(UV-vis)吸收光谱、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、荧光光谱法对其进行表征。     

二—（2—乙基己基聚氧化烯烃）琥珀酸双酯磺酸钠的表面活性及应用

二－（２－乙基己基聚氧化烯烃）琥珀酸双酯磺酸钠的表面活性及应用姚传义吴金川何志敏＊（天津大学化学工程研究所天津３０００７２）关键词二－（２－乙基己基聚氧化烯烃）琥珀酸双酯磺酸钠，表面活性，反胶团酶反应，橄榄油水解１９９７－０９－１９收稿，１９９７－１...     

SPECTROSCOPIC AND DYNAMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF FMN IN REVERSED MICELLES ENTRAPPED WATER POOLS

Abstract— The encapsulation of FMN in surfactant entrapped water pools resulted into specific interactions of FMN with the polar head groups, the entrapped water molecules and the outer apolar solvent. Two positively charged surfactant/solvent systems were employed: dodecyl ammonium propionate (DAP) in toluene and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in chloroform/ n -octane (6:5, vol/vol). Also a surfactant with a negatively charged polar head group, sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) in n -octane, was used. In CTAB and especially DAP reversed micellar systems the light absorption spectra revealed the localization of the flavin in a more apolar environment, while in AOT reversed micelles FMN appeared to reside mainly in the core of the water pool. The fluorescence spectra showed unresolved bands, which were blue-shifted in DAP and CTAB reversed micelles as compared to the spectra of aqueous FMN solutions. The fluorescence decay kinetics of FMN in enclosed water droplets is non-exponential. The heterogeneity can be explained assuming incomplete relaxation of partly immobilized water molecules during the lifetime of the excited singlet state. The relatively high anisotropy of the fluorescence of FMN in encapsulated water indicated a higher viscosity than in bulk water. This was confirmed by anisotropy decay measurements of FMN in DAP and AOT entrapped water, for which the rotational correlation times were much longer than for FMN in plain water.     

溶剂对反胶束法合成CdS纳米粒子粒径的影响

以磺基琥珀酸二辛酯钠盐(AOT)为保护剂,利用反胶束法在不同烷烃溶液中合成了CdS纳米粒子.采用紫外-可见光谱、透射电子显微镜、荧光光谱法对其进行表征.研究表明:在不同烷烃溶液中合成的CdS纳米粒子,其粒子大小和荧光强度都随溶剂而改变.     

Dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of glycerol in the nanocavity of reverse micelles

The dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 480 and Coumarin 490 in glycerol containing bis-2-ethyl hexyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) reverse micelles have been investigated with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We observed slower solvent relaxation of glycerol confined in the nanocavity of AOT reverse micelles compared to that in pure glycerol. However, the slowing down in the solvation time on going from neat glycerol to glycerol confined reverse micelles is not comparable to that on going from pure water or acetonitrile to water or acetonitrile confined AOT reverse micellar aggregates. While solvent relaxation times were found to decrease with increasing glycerol content in the reverse micellar pool, rotational relaxation times were found to increase with increase in glycerol content.     

Structural evolution of a two-component organogel

Dry reverse micelles of AOT in isooctane spontaneously undergo a microstructural transition to an organogel upon the addition of a phenolic dopant, p-chlorophenol. This microstructural evolution has been studied through a combination of light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), NMR, and rheology. Several equilibrium stages between the system of dry reverse micelles of AOT and a 1:1 AOT/p-chlorophenol (molar ratio) gel in isooctane have been examined. To achieve this, p-chlorophenol is added progressively to the dilute solutions of AOT in isooctane, and this concentration series is then analyzed. The dry micelles of AOT in isooctane do not undergo any detectable structural change up to a certain p-chlorophenol concentration. Upon a very small increment in the concentration of p-chlorophenol beyond this "threshold" concentration, large strandlike aggregates are observed which then evolve to the three-dimensional gel network.