Influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on physicochemical properties and microstructures of chitosan-TPP nanoparticles in aqueous solutions

The nanoparticles of chitosan (CS) were prepared using pentasodium triphosphate (TPP) as a crosslinking agent and the influences of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the physicochemical properties of the CS-TPP nanoparticles were first studied by laser light scattering, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The concentration played a significant role in controlling the particle size of CS and the overlap concentration c(*) was testified to be about 1.0 mg/mL. The combination of static light scattering (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) allowed us to obtain more information about the CS-TPP nanoparticles in the presence of surfactant molecules. The addition of CTAB could reduce the hydrodynamic diameter of nanoparticles effectively in the salt solutions and simultaneously increase the zeta potential of the nanoparticles. The effect of CTAB concentration on the size of CS-TPP nanoparticle was also examined. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CTAB was used to interpret the complicated complex formed by the polyelectrolyte and the surfactant. Finally, TEM was used to observe the CS-TPP nanoparticles, which were affected by CTAB, to verify the results obtained by light scattering.     

Adsorption Properties of Metal Ions Using Alumina Nano-Particles in Aqueous and Alcoholic Solutions

Different metal ions in aqueous and alcoholic solutions were adsorbed on alumina nano-particles prepared by the sol-gel method. The flocculation of the alumina sol was induced by the addition of different metal ions in solution. The flocculation kinetics was obtained by monitoring the particle growth with time using dynamic light scattering. These experiments were carried out following two different methods: a) the multiple injection method which consist in adding small amounts of metal ions until the critical flocculation concentration was reached and b) single injection method where an amount of metal ions equal to the critical flocculation concentration is added all in one shot. The efficiency of metal adsorption was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, characterization and comparative evaluation of phenoxy ring containing long chain gemini imidazolium and pyridinium amphiphiles

The effect of Triton X-100 on the colloidal dispersion stability of CuPc-U (unsulfonated and hydrophobic) and CuPc-S (surface sulfonated and hydrophilic) particles in aqueous solutions (water and NaNO(3)) was investigated at 25 °C. Its adsorption density was determined from surfactant concentrations analyzed by an HPLC method with a UV detector. The experimental dispersion stability ratios of the particles were determined from dynamic light scattering (DLS) data, with the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) light scattering theory. The adsorption densities of Triton X-100 on both the CuPc-U and CuPc-S increase with increasing concentration of surfactant up to the critical micelle concentration (cmc), and then reach a plateau. The maximum adsorption density Γ(m) is higher for the CuPc-U (d(h)=160 nm) than that for the CuPc-S (d(h)=90 nm). The hydrophobic chains are inferred to be adsorbed onto the surfaces, and the hydrophilic ethylene oxide chains are in a coil conformation. The W(app)-values for the CuPc-U dispersions are affected mainly by the surfactant fractional surface coverage θ. Adding NaNO(3) has no significant effect on the dispersion stability. The stabilization mechanism for the CuPc-U is inferred to be primarily steric, as expected. The stability ratios for the CuPc-S in solutions with NaNO(3) are higher than those for CuPc-U, and decrease with increasing concentration of NaNO(3), indicating that the stabilization is affected by the screening of electrostatic repulsive forces. The zeta potential is not a good predictor of the electrostatic stabilization, pointing to the need for new and improved theories.     

W/O型微乳法制备淀粉基纳米粒

在正己烷、Span-60和NaOH水溶液的W／O型淀粉微乳液中,进行淀粉与环氧氯丙烷交联反应制备淀粉微球,用质量分数为1％的淀粉水浆液制备出微球的流体力学半径Rb为7．08—113nm,其中粒径不超过100nm的纳米粒在整个微粒体系中占69％,平均粒径为92．2nm。TEM和DLS结果表明,制得的微粒呈圆球形,且微粒的流体力学半径随淀粉水浆液浓度的增加而增大并分布变宽,淀粉水浆液的浓度低有利于淀粉基纳米粒的形成。     

Entropic nature of the adsorption of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate on nanoparticles of aluminum and iron oxides in aqueous medium

The adsorption of anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) from aqueous solution on the hydrophilic surfaces of aluminum oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles is studied via UV spectrophotometry, electrophoretic light scattering, and isothermal microcalorimetry. It is shown that the isotherms of the adsorption of SDBS on the surfaces of both oxides in the area of concentrations up to 0.6 mmol/L is linear. It is found that the positive zeta potential of the surfaces of the particles falls to zero and shifts toward the range of negative values due to adsorption. The adsorption of SDBS is characterized by positive enthalpy values over the investigated range of concentrations, while the loss of energy during adsorption indicates it is of an entropic nature. It is concluded that the probable cause of the increase in entropy is the dehydration of SDBS molecules during on surface adsorption. The obtained results are discussed in terms of the formation of hemimicelles of surfactant on the hydrophilic surfaces of metal oxide nanoparticles in an aqueous medium.     

Temperature induced phase separation of luminescent silica nanoparticles in Triton X-100 solutions

The aggregation and cloud point behavior of Tb(III)-doped silica nanoparticles has been studied in Triton X-100 (TX-100) solutions at various concentration conditions by fluorimetry, dynamic light scattering, electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy methods. The temperature responsive behavior of nanoparticles is observed at definite concentration of TX-100, where the aggregation of TX-100 at the silica/water interface is evident from the increased size of the silica nanoparticles. The reversible dehydration of TX-100 aggregates at the silica/water interface should be assumed as the main reason of the temperature induced phase separation of silica nanoparticles. The distribution of nanoparticles between aqueous and surfactant rich phases at the phase separation conditions can be modified by the effect of additives.     

Synthesis of newly cationic surfactant based on dimethylaminopropyl amine and their silver nanoparticles: Characterization; surface activity and biological activity

The chemical structure of newly synthesized cationic surfactants based on Schiff base was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. The synthesized surfactants were used in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by a simple one-step method. The silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) formation was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (SAED), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The structure of the surfactant played an important role in the synthesis process. Increasing the hydrophobic chain length, the stability, and the amount of surfactant increased the quantity of AgNPs formed. The surface activity of the synthesized cationic surfactants was determined using surface tension measurements at three different temperatures. The synthesized surfactants showed a high tendency toward adsorption and micellization. Increasing the hydrophobic chain length of the synthesized surfactant increased its adsorption. Screening the synthesized cationic surfactants and their nano-form against bacteria and fungi showed that they are highly effective. The silver nanoparticles enhanced the biological activity of the synthesized cationic surfactants.     

Removal of Disperse Dyes from Water Using Surfactant Treated Alumina

An alumina surface was modified by adsorption of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Typical S‐shaped isotherm of surfactant on alumina was observed. The adsorption of Disperse Red‐11, Disperse Blue‐26 and Disperse Red‐156 on alumina and surfactant treated alumina has been investigated. The enhancement in adsorption of these disperse dyes on surfactant treated alumina is observed, which may be attributed to their solubilization in surfactant aggregates formed at the solid/liquid interface. The effect of pH on adsorption has been studied. The adsorption is greatly influenced by pH of the medium. The applicability of the Langmuir model and the Dual‐Mode sorption model (DSM) were tested for equilibrium data.     

Separating excess surfactant from silver and gold nanoparticles in micellar concentrates by means of nonaqueous electrophoresis

It is shown by physicochemical means (IR Fourier spectroscopy, CHN-analysis with preliminary sorption of surfactant on SiO₂) that the content of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) in an electrophoretic concentrate remains unchanged during the electrophoretic concentration of silver and gold nanoparticles. Diluting the concentrate and carrying out the second stage of electrophoresis reduces the concentration of surfactant from 0.25 to 0.015 M while maintaining the mass concentration of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles in organosols before and after electrophoresis are characterized by means of photon correlation spectroscopy, phase analysis light scattering, and spectrophotometry. Conducting films on glass substrates are obtained from concentrates with a different contents of surfactant via water–alcohol treatment and thermolysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of paramagnetic microparticles through emulsion-templated free radical polymerization

A novel method is described for the preparation of high-magnetization paramagnetic microparticles functionalized with a controlled density of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and carboxyl groups. These microparticles were synthesized using four steps: (1) creation of an oil-in-water emulsion in which hydrophobic iron oxide nanoparticles and a UV-activated initiator were distributed in hexane; (2) formation of uniform microparticles through emulsion homogenization and evaporation of hexane; (3) functionalization of the microparticle with a PEG-functionalized surfactant and acrylic acid; and (4) polymerization of the microparticles. Characterization of the microparticles with electron microscopy and light scattering revealed that they were composed of densely packed iron oxide nanoparticles and that the size of the microparticles may be controlled through the pore size of the membrane used to homogenize the emulsion. The concentration of surfactant and acrylic acid used in the third processing step was found to determine the surface chemistry, iron content, and magnetization of the microparticles. Increasing the PEG surfactant to acrylic acid ratio resulted in higher PEG surface densities, lower iron content, and lower magnetization. The resulting microparticles were readily functionalized with antibodies and showed a low propensity for nonspecific protein adsorption. We believe that these microparticles will be useful for magnetic tweezers measurements and bioanalytical devices that require microparticles with a high magnetization.     

Change Color Effect and Spectral Properties of Gold Nanoparticle-cationic Surfactants System

The change color effect of gold nanoparticle solutions was studied by means of resonance scattering and absorption spectrometry and scan electron microscopy. The red Au nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm exhibit a resonance absorption peak and a resonance scattering peak all at 525 nm. After some inorganic electrolyte was added to a red Au nanoparticles solution, the color of the solution became blue and the absorbance at 600-700 nm was significantly increased. The ratio of the concentration of rnonovalent cations, at which the resonance scattering of the system at 525 nm is maximal to that of divalent cations, is in the range of 100 : 1--100 ; 1. 8. It is in good agreement with the Schulze-Hardy rule of the coagulation value of electrolyte. After adding some cationic surfactants to the above solution, the color of the solution is in deep blue, with two resonance absorption peaks at 550 and 680 nm, and a greatly enhanced resonance scattering peak at 525 nm. The experiments demonstrate that the stronger the hydrophobicity of the cationic surfactant is, the stronger the change color effect of the Au nanoparticle solution promoted by cationic surfactant is. The change color effect of Au nanoparticle solution is resulted from the increased diameter of Au nanoparticles, and the changes of resonance absorotion DeaR and resonance scattering.     

Polystyrene nanoparticles in the presence of (ethylene oxide)13(propylene oxide)30(ethylene oxide)13, N,N-dimethyloctylamine-N-oxide and their mixtures. A calorimetric and dynamic light scattering study

Polystyrene nanoparticles were synthesized by emulsion polymerization of styrene. They were functionalized using the conventional surfactant N,N-dimethyloctylamine-N-oxide (ODAO), the tri-block copolymer (ethylene oxide)(13)(propylene oxide)(30)(ethylene oxide)(13) (L64) and their mixtures. To this purpose, dynamic light scattering and calorimetric experiments were carried out and provided information consistent to each other. The L64 adsorption is Langmuir-type in the copolymer dilute regime and generates complex structures at larger concentrations. In the region where ODAO is in the unimeric state, the adsorption process is cooperative leading to hemi-micelle formation at the polystyrene nanoparticle/water interface. In the concentrated region (above the critical micellar concentration), ODAO forms micelles which interact with the solid substrate most likely through ion-dipole forces. The ODAO addition to the dispersion containing polystyrene particles already wrapped by L64 creates an ODAO thickness around the dispersed particles the size of which is equal to that in the absence of the copolymer, but is built at much lower concentrations. A plausible interpretation of this behavior is that the adsorbed L64 confers to the nanoparticles surface novel properties which enhance the attractive forces with the ODAO molecules.     

Effect of NaCl on the self-aggregation of n-octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside in aqueous medium

This report investigates the effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the micellization, surface activity, and the evolution in the shape and size of n-octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside (OTG) aggregates. By using surface tension measurements, information was obtained on both changes in the critical micelle concentration and adsorption behavior in the air-liquid interface with the electrolyte concentration. These data were used to obtain the thermodynamic properties of micellization along with the corresponding adsorption parameters in the air-liquid interface. From extended static and dynamic light scattering measurements, the micelle molecular weight, the mean aggregation number, and the second virial coefficient, the apparent diffusion coefficient and the mean hydrodynamic radius of micelles in a range of NaCl concentrations were obtained. The light scattering data have shown that when the surfactant concentration is lower to 4.5 g/L, only spherical micelles are formed. However, an increase in the surfactant concentration induces an increase in micellar size, suggesting a rodlike growth of the micelles. This deviation of micelle geometry from spherical to rodlike is supported both by the ratio between the hydrodynamic radius and the radius of gyration and by the angular dependence of light scattering. On the other hand, the studies performed in the presence of high NaCl concentration (0.2 and 0.5 M) provide strong support for the view that the micelles may overlap together to form an entangled network above certain crossover concentration.     

pH dependence of adsorption of n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside on solids

Adsorption of surfactants on solids plays an important role in industrial operations such as separation, lubrication, flotation, dispersion, chemical mechanical polishing, and enhanced oil recovery. In this work, adsorption of a typical biodegradable nonionic surfactant, n-dodecyl-beta-d-maltoside, on solids was studied to explore its potential applications. Even though it is a nonionic surfactant, significant pH-dependence was revealed for the adsorption on alumina in the range from pH 4 to 7. The adsorption density was found to be proportional to the concentration of surface AlOH group among Al(OH(2))(+) and AlO(-) groups. The equilibriums among the surface species are governed by pH through surface ionization reactions. The surface AlOH group evidently determines the formation of hydrogen bonding between the surfactant molecules and the solid surface and thus the adsorption. Similar correlation was also found in the case of hematite. The results help to understand the mechanism of adsorption of sugar-based surfactant on solids.     

‘Nano-impacts’: An Electrochemical Technique for Nanoparticle Sizing in Optically Opaque Solutions

Typical laser-dependent methods such as nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) are not able to detect nanoparticles in an optically opaque medium due to scattering or absorption of light. Here, the electrochemical technique of ‘nano-impacts’ was used to detect nanoparticles in solution in the presence of high levels of alumina particulates causing a milky white suspension. Using the ‘nano-impacts’ method, silver nanoparticles were successfully detected and sized in the model opaque medium. The results obtained compared well with those using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), an ex situ method for nanoparticle size determination. The ability to use the ‘nano-impacts’ method in media unmeasurable to competitor techniques confers a significant advantage on the electrochemical approach.     

Influences of surfactant (PVA) concentration and pH on the preparation of copper nanoparticles by electron beam irradiation

Electron beam irradiation method was successfully applied to the preparation of Cu nanoparticles in aqueous solution under room temperature and ambient pressure using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the surfactant. The influences of the pH on the products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and those of the surfactant PVA concentration on the particle size and agglomeration by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis) and laser scattering particle size distribution analysis (LSPSDA). The products were characterized by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the grain size of Cu nanoparticles, within a certain range, can decrease with increasing PVA concentration. Pure Cu nanoparticles with the grain size distribution of 5–50 nm were prepared when the pH was adjusted between 5.0 and 9.0, and the PVA concentration was 2.20 g/100 mL.     

Formation of vesicles in diluted aqueous solutions of surfactant investigated by direct analysis of light scattering

Formation of aggregates in the binary systems of double-tailed surfactant, sodium 4-(1-pentylheptyl)benzenesulfonate, and water in the dilute regime was supposed to occur within 5.0–8.5% of surfactant concentration. The size of particles was determined by light scattering. In addition, the samples were observed at room temperature using an Axiovert 35 Zeiss polarized light microscope operated with differential interference contrast optics. The observed aggregates could, in theory, belong a vesicle phase. All the histograms obtained by light scattering showed a bimodal distribution of particles. Weight factors including intensity, volume and number distribution indicate 97–100% of small aggregate sizes, since the peaks for the big sizes indicate only a small number of the aggregate population. Small aggregates have shown monodispersity with diameters of the aqueous core amounting to 38.94 and 54.94 nm relating to the surfactant concentration of 6.0 and 8.0%, respectively. Hydrodynamic radii determined by the Cumulant method, by the inverse Laplace transformation, and using a plot 1/τ vs. q², showed values within the usual precision limits.     

Copper sols stabilized by poly(ethylene glycol-600-monolaurate) and its complexes with poly(acrylic acid)

Copper sols stabilized by a polymer-colloid complex are studied via dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that the polymer-colloid complex including poly(acrylic acid) and the nonionogenic polymeric surfactant poly(ethylene glycol-600-monolaurate) is an effective protector of copper nanoparticles formed via the reduction of Cu²⁺ ions in an aqueous medium. The sizes of sol particles of the nanocomposite consisting of the polymer-colloid complex and copper nanoparticles depend on the method of preparation of the nanocomposite. The incorporation of the copper nanoparticles being formed (an average diameter of 5 nm) into particles of the polymer-colloid complex leads to an insignificant change in the sizes of the complex particles. The same sizes are typical for particles of the nanocomposite formed during the introduction of surfactant micelles in the copper sol formed in the solution of poly(acrylic acid). The interaction of copper nanoparticles formed in an aqueous medium with surfactant micelles entails their aggregation; as a result, these nanoparticles turn out to be incorporated into large aggregates with equivalent radii of up to 100 nm. When poly(acrylic acid) is incorporated into this sol, the sizes of its particles insignificantly change apparently because of the low rate of structural rearrangements accompanying the formation of the polymer-colloid complex.     

盐引发阴离子/非离子表面活性剂复配体系中囊泡自发形成

在无盐时, 阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)与非离子表面活性剂壬基酚聚氧乙烯(10)醚(TX-100)的复配体系中只有混合胶束存在, 而盐的加入即可以引发体系中囊泡的自发形成, 这使得囊泡的形成变得更加简单. 引发机理可以归因于盐对离子表面活性剂的极性头双电层的压缩作用, 减少了极性头的面积, 加上非离子表面活性剂的参与使得堆积参数P增加, 导致了半径更大的聚集体的形成. 制作了SDBS/TX-100/盐水拟三元相图, 通过目测和表面张力的变化确定了囊泡形成的带状区域, 并用负染色电镜(TEM)对囊泡进行了表征, 同时测定了盐度以及相同盐度下表面活性剂浓度对囊泡粒径的影响, 发现囊泡的粒径随着盐度的增加而增加, 而在同一盐度下, 囊泡的粒径基本不受表面活性剂浓度的影响.     

Effect of hydrophobically modified SiO2 nanoparticles on the stability of water-based SDS foam

In the present study, SiO₂ nanoparticles were first hydrophobically modified and then added into anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) stabilized water-based foam to improve the foam stability. The foam stability was experimentally evaluated by measuring surface tension, Zeta potential and half-life of the foam. The foam stabilizing mechanism was also studied from a micro perspective by molecular dynamics simulation through analyzing the equilibration configuration and MSD curve of both SDS surfactant and water molecules. The results show that foam exhibits an optimal stability when SiO₂ concentration is 0.35 wt% under a specific surfactant concentration (0.5 wt%) in this work. The addition of SiO₂ nanoparticles with suitable concentration could improve the adsorption between SDS molecules and nanoparticles, thus limiting the movement of SDS and restricting the movement of surrounding water molecules, which is beneficial to enhance the foam stability.