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Polyanion-polycation complex formation as a function of the position of the functional groups
(1996)
Polyelectrolyte complexes
(1996)
The influence of polyelectrolytes on structure formation in liquid crystalline Na-dodecylsulfate/decanol/water systems was investigated by means of small angle X-ray diffraction, rheology, NMR spectroscopy, and microscopy. By adding Na-polyacrylate (PAA) into the mesophase, the one-phase region is left and phenomena of phase separation into a solvent-rich and a polymer/surfactantrich phase occurs. By incoporating an anionic and cationic polyelectrolyte step by step the tendency of phase separation is increased drastically. The self-organization process can be regulated directly by varying the water content of the system. However, at a water content of 30% the properties of the resulting liquid crystal were changed drastically. X-ray diffraction shows a multitude of Bragg peaks, NMR shows a peak-splitting, and rheology shows a change from non-Newtonian to Newtonian-flow behavior. On the basis of the experimental results an ordered multilayer associate structure can be assumed.
Temperature and polymer induced structural changes in SDS/decanol based multilamellar vesicles
(2002)
The paper is focused on the formation and redispersion of monodisperse BaSO4 nanoparticles in polyelectrolyte- modified microemulsions. It is shown that a cationic polyelectrolyte of low molar mass, e.g. poly(dially1dimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), can be incorporated into the individual inverse microemulsion droplets (L2 phase) consisting of heptanol, water, and an amphoteric surfactant with a sulfobetaine head group. These PDADMAC- filled microemulsion droplets can be successfully used as a template phase for the nanoparticle formation. The monodisperse BaSO4 nanoparticles are produced by a simple mixing procedure and can be redispersed after solvent evaporation without a change in particle dimensions. Dynamic and electrophoretical light scattering in combination with sedimentation experiments in the analytical Ultracentrifuge of the redispersed powder show polyelectrolyte-stabilized nanoparticles with diameters of about 6 nm. The polyelectrolyte shows a "size control effect", which can be explained by the polyelectrolyte-surfactant interactions in relation to the polyelectrolyte-nanoparticle interactions during the particle growth, solvent evaporation and redispersion process. However, the approach used here opens away to produce different types of polyelectrolyte-stabilized nanoparticles (including rare metals, semiconductors, carbonates or oxides) of very small dimensions. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Polymer-induced structural changes in lecithin/sodium dodecyl sulfate-based multilamellar vesicles
(2004)
Aqueous concentrated lecithin mixtures (asolectin from soybean) show typical lamellar liquid crystalline behavior and the individual lamellae tend to form spherical supramolecular structures, i.e., multilamellar vesicles. When part of the lecithin is replaced by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SIDS), the compact multilamellar vesicles disappear and the viscosity decreases. By adding oly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) to the lecithin/SDS system, the formation of multilamellar vesicles can be induced again and the viscosity increases. However, one characteristic feature of these polymer-modified systems is a temperature-dependent phase transition from a compact multilamellar vesicle phase to a more swollen liquid crystalline phase. The polymer-modified multilamellar compact vesicles are of interest for utilization as new thermosensitive drug delivery systems. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
This paper is focused on the synthesis and characterization of hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes and their use as reducing as well as stabilizing agents for the formation of gold nanoparticles. Commercially available poly(acrylic acid) has been hydrophobically modified with various degrees of grafting of butylamine introduced randomly along the chain. Different analytical methods are performed, i.e., IR and H-1-NMR spectroscopy in combination with elemental analysis to determine the degree of grafting. The modified polymers can successfully be used for the controlled single-step synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles. The process of nanoparticle formation is investigated by means of UV-vis spectroscopy. The size and shape of the particles obtained in the presence of unmodified or modified polyelectrolytes are characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements and transmission electron microscopy. The polyelectrolytes were involved in the crystallization process of the nanoparticles, and in the presence of hydrophobic microdomains at the particle surface, a better stabilization at higher temperature can be observed
This paper focuses on the characterization and use of polymer-modified phosphatidylcholine (PC)/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-based inverse microemulsions as a template phase for BaSO4 nanoparticle formation. The area of the optically clear inverse microemulsion phase in the isooctane/hexanol/water/PC/SDS system is not significantly changed by adding polyelectrolytes, i.e., poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), or amphoteric copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and maleamid acid to the SDS-modified inverse microemulsion. Shear experiments show non- Newtonian flow behavior and oscillation experiments show a frequency-dependent viscosity increase (dilatant behavior) of the microemulsions. Small amounts of bulk water were identified by means of differential scanning calorimetry. One can conclude that the macromolecules are incorporated into the individual droplets, and polymer-filled microemulsions are formed. The polymer-filled microemulsions were used as a template phase for the synthesis of BaSO4 nanoparticles. After solvent evaporation the nanoparticles were redispersed in water and isooctane, respectively. The polymers incorporated into the microemulsion are involved in the redispersion process and influence the size and shape of the redispersed BaSO4 particles in a specific way. The crystallization process mainly depends on the type of solvent and the polymer component added. In the presence of the cationic polyelectrolyte PDADMAC the crystallization to larger cubic crystals is inhibited, and layers consisting of polymer-stabilized spherical nanoparticles of BaSO4 (6 nm in size) will be observed. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
The influence of branched poly(ethyleneimine) on the phase behavior of the system sodium dodecylsulfate/toluene-pentanol (1:1)/water has been studied. The isotropic microemulsions still exist when water is replaced with aqueous solutions of PEI (up to 30% in weight), but their stability is significantly influenced. From a polymer concentration of 20 wt%, the polymer enhances the solubilization of water in oil, changes the sign of the spontaneous curvature of the surfactant film, and induces an inversion of the microemulsion type from water-in-oil (L-2) to oil-in-water (L-1), by the formation of a bicontinuous channel. Further investigations show that the addition of polymer in the L-2 phase changes the droplet-droplet interactions as the conductivity drops and the percolation disappears. In the bicontinuous channel, higher viscosities can be detected, as well as a weak percolation followed by a steep increase of the conductivity, which can be related to evident structural changes in the system. DSC measurements allow then to follow the changes of the water properties in the system, from interfacial-water in the L-2 phase to free-water in the sponge-like phase. Finally, all the measurements performed permit to characterize the structural transitions in the system and to understand the role of the added polymer.
The influence of the water soluble polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on structure formation in the quasiternary system sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/pentanol-xylene/water was checked by means of conductometry, rheology, and micro differential calorimetry. The polymer induces the formation of an isotropic phase channel between the o/w and w/o microemulsion. The transition from the normal as well as from the inverse micellar to the bicontinuous phase range can be detected by conductometry, rheology as well as micro-DSC. As a result of polymer-surfactant interactions, the spontaneous curvature of the surfactant film is changed and a sponge phase is formed. The bicontinuous phase is characterized by a moderate shear viscosity, a Newtonian flow behaviour, and the disappearence of interphasal water in the heating curve of the micro-DSC. When the polymer-modified bicontinuous phase is used as a template phase for the nanoparticle formation, spherical BaSO4 nanoparticles were formed. During the following solvent evaporation process the primarily formed spherical nanoparticles aggregate to nanorods and triangular structures due to the non-restriction of the bicontinuous template phase in longitudinal direction
The paper is focused on the characterization and use of phosphatidylcholine (PC)-based inverse microemulsions as a template phase for the CdS nanoparticle formation. The optically clear, isotropic phase in the oil corner was identified as a "classicalö water-in-oil microemulsion by means of NMR-diffusion measurements. Because of the very small dimensions of the water droplets, the isotropic phase shows a Newtonian-like flow behavior, and adequate amounts of bulk water cannot be detected by DSC. It is demonstrated that this w/o microemulsion can be used successfully as a nanoreactor for the formation of CdS nanoparticles with diameters of 4-5 nm. During the following process of solvent evaporation the individual small CdS nanoparticles aggregate to significant larger cubic nanoparticles, with an edge length of 2-40 nm, arranged in well-defined mosaic-like superstructures. In presence of SDS the nanocubes were stable up to 800 °C. It has to be stated here that polyelectrolytes prevent the formation of such well-ordered superstructures.
SAXS/WAXS studies were performed in combination with freeze fracture electron microscopy using mixtures of a new Gemini catanionic surfactant (Gem 16-12, formed by two sugar groups bound by a hydrocarbon spacer with 12 carbons and two 16-carbon chains) and the zwitterionic phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(DPPC) to establish the phase diagram. Gem 16-12 in water forms bilayers with the same amount of hydration water as DPPC. A frozen interdigitated phase with a low hydration number is observed below room temperature. The kinetics of the formation of this crystalline phase is very slow. Above the chain melting temperature, multilayered vesicles are formed. Mixing with DPPC produces mixed bilayers above the corresponding chain melting temperature. At room temperature, partially lamellar aggregates with local nematic order are observed. Splitting of infinite lamellae into discs is linked to immiscibility in frozen state. The ordering process is always accompanied by dehydration of the system. As a consequence, an unusual order-disorder phase transition upon cooling is observed.
This paper is focused on the use of branched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) as reducing as well as stabilizing agent for the formation of gold nanoparticles in different media. The process of nanoparticle formation was investigated, in the absence of any other reducing agents, in microemulsion template phase in comparison to the nucleation process in aqueous polymer solution. On the one hand, it was shown that the polyelectrolyte can be used for the controlled single-step synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles via a nucleation reaction and particles with an average diameter of 7.1 nm can be produced. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the polymer can also act as reducing and stabilizing agent in much more complex systems, i.e. in water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion droplets. The reverse microemulsion droplets of the quaternary system sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/toluene-pentanol (1:1)/water were successfully used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The polymer, incorporated in the droplets, exhibits reducing properties, adsorbs on the surface of the nanoparticles and prevents their aggregation. Consequently, nanoparticles of 8.6 nm can be redispersed after solvent evaporation without a change of their size. Nevertheless, the polymer acts already as a "template" during the formation of the nanoparticles in water and in microemulsion, so that an additional template effect of the microemulsion is not observed. The particle formation for both methods is checked by means of UV-vis spectroscopy and the particle size and size distribution are investigated via dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The epoxy system containing diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone is modified with poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (ABS) to explore the effects of the ABS content on the phase morphology, mechanism of phase separation, and viscoelastic properties. The amount of ABS in the blends was 5, 10, 15, and 20 parts per hundred of epoxy resin (phr). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to investigate the final morphology of ABS-modified epoxy blends. Scanning electron microscopic studies of 15 phr ABS-modified epoxy blends reveal a bicontinuous structure in which both epoxy and ABS are continuous, with substructures of the ABS phase dispersed in the continuous epoxy phase and substructures of the epoxy phase dispersed in the continuous ABS phase. TEM micrographs of 15 phr ABS-modified epoxy blends confirm the results observed by SEM. TEM micrographs reveal the existence of nanosubstructures of ABS in 20 phr ABS-modified epoxy blends. To the best of our knowledge, to date, nanosubstructures have never been reported in any epoxy/thermoplastic blends. The influence of the concentration of the thermoplastic on the generated morphology as analyzed by SEM and TEM was explained in detail. The evolution and mechanism of phase separation was investigated in detail by optical microscopy (OM) and small-angle laser light scattering (SALLS). At concentrations lower than 10 phr the system phase separates through nucleation and growth (NG). However, at higher concentrations, 15 and 20 phr, the blends phase separate through both NG and spinodal decomposition mechanisms. On the basis of OM and SALLS, we conclude that the phenomenon of complex substructure formation in dynamic asymmetric blends is due to the combined effect of hydrodynamics and viscoelasticity. Additionally, dynamic mechanical analysis was carried out to evaluate the viscoelastic behavior of the cross-linked epoxy/ABS blends. Finally, apparent weight fractions of epoxy and ABS components in epoxy- and ABS-rich phases were evaluated from T-g analysis.
This work is focused on the influence of an ionic liquid (IL), i.e. ethyl-methylimidazolium hexylsulfate, on the spontaneous formation of microemulsions with ionic surfactants. The influence of the ionic liquid on Structure formation in the optically clear phase region in water/toluene/pentanol mixtures in presence of the cationic surfactant CTAB was studied in more detail. The results show a significant increase of the transparent phase region by adding the ionic liquid. Conductometric investigations demonstrate that adding the ionic liquid can drastically reduce the droplet- droplet interactions in the L-2 phase. H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) diffusion coefficient measurements in combination with dynamic light scattering measurements clearly show that inverse microemulsion droplets still exist, but the droplet size is decreased to 2 nm. A more detailed characterisation of the isotropic phase channel by means of conductivity measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), H-1 NMR and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM), allows the identification of a bicontinuous sponge phase between the L-1 and L-2 phase. When the poly(ethyleneimine) is added, the isotropic phase range is reduced drastically, but the inverse microemulsion range still exists.
Polymer-modified bicontinuous microemulsions used as a template for the formation of nanorods
(2009)
This article is focused on the characterization of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-induced bicontinuous microemulsion of the pseudo-ternary system sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/xylene-pentanol/water by means of differential scanning calorimetry, rheology, and conductometry. The influence of the polymer concentration (cp) and the molecular weight (Mw) on the microstructure of the microemulsion was investigated using Cryo scanning electron microscopy. It was found that an increase of cp influences the structure of the sponge-like phase significantly. These polymer-modified microemulsions can be used as a template phase for the formation of BaSO4 nanorods, where individual nanoparticles (5nm in size) are ordered along the polymer backbone.
This paper is focused on the influence of added polyampholyte, namely poly(N,N;-diallyl-N,N;- dimethyl-alt-maleamic carboxylate) on the inverse micellar phase range of the pseudo-ternary system consisting of toluene-pentanol (1:1)/SDS/water in dependence on the pH value and the temperature. Investigations on phase behavior have revealed that a greater extension in direction to the water-rich corner can be found at pH 4 compared to pH 9. In order to understand changes in the microstructure, polymer-surfactant interactions in dependence on pH have been examined by means of diffusion-ordered spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, as well as conductivity measurements. The results have proven that the present microemulsion consists of water-in-oil droplets, with the polyampholyte located more in the inner core of the water droplets at pH 9 rather than at the interphase of the surfactant film at pH 4.
We have performed a 50 ns of molecular dynamics study of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)/ sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/decanol/water systems. The influence of the cationic polyelectrolyte on the anionic SDS- based lamellar liquid crystalline system was investigated. The main structural parameters have been calculated and compared with experimental data. We obtain two types of PDADMAC conformation, a more folded structure A and a structure B where the PDADMAC molecule is adsorbed at the anionic head groups of the surfactant molecules. The polyelectrolyte- induced coexistence of two lamellar phases at a concentration of 2-3% of PDADMAC is observed, which is in agreement with experimental findings.
Metal ion induced self-assembly of the rigid ligand 1,4-bis(2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine- 4'-yl) benzene (1) with Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) acetate in aqueous solution results in extended, rigid- rod like metallosupramolecular coordination polyelectrolytes (MEPE-1). Under the current experimental conditions the molar masses range from 1000 g mol(-1) up to 500 000 g mol(-1). The molar mass depends on concentration, stoichiometry, metal-ion and time. In addition, we present viscosity measurements, small angle neutron scattering and AFM data. We introduce a protocol to precisely control the stoichiometry during self-assembly using conductometry. The protocol can be used with different terpyridine ligands and the above-mentioned metal ions and is of paramount importance to obtain meaningful and reproducible results. As a control experiment we studied the mononuclear 4'- (phenyl)2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine (3) complex with Ni(II) and Zn(II) and the flexible ligand 1,3- bis[4'-oxa(2,2': 6',2 ''-terpyridinyl)] propane (2) with Ni(II) acetate (Ni-MEPE-2). This ligand does not form extended macroassemblies but likely ring-like structures with 3 to 4 repeat units. Through spin- coating of Ni-MEPE-1 on a solid surface we can image the MEPEs in real space by AFM. SANS measurements of Fe-MEPE-1 verify the extended rigid-rod type structure of the MEPEs in aqueous solution.
Metal-ion-induced self-assembly in aqueous solution of the rigid ligand 1,4-bis(2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine-4'-yl)benzene (1) with Fe(OAc)(2) and Ni(OAc)(2) is investigated with viscosimetry, SANS, and AFM. Ligand 1 forms extended, rigid-rod like metallo-supramolecular coordination polyeectrolytes (MEPEs) with a molar mass of up to 200 000 g mol(-1) under the Current experimental conditions. The molar mass depends oil concentration, stoichiometry, and time. By spin-coating MEPEs oil a solid surface, we call image the MEPEs in real space by AFM. Both AFM and SANS confirm the extended rigid-rod-type structure of the MEPEs. As a control experiment, we also studied the flexible ligand 1,3-bis[4'-oxa(2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridinyl)]propane (2). Ligand 2 does not form extended macro-assemblies but likely ringlike structures with three 10 four repeat units. Finally, we present it protocol to control the stoichiometry during self-assembly using conductometry, which is of paramount importance to obtain meaningful and reproducible results.
Aqueous solutions of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and poly(N,N'-diallyl-N,N'-dimethyl-alt-maleamic carboxylate) (PalH), a synthetic pH-tuneable polyelectrolyte (PEL), have been investigated by various techniques at different pH-values in absence and presence of NaCl. Potentiometric measurements using a surfactant-selective electrode indicate a quite complex interaction mechanism, which can be subdivided into different regions, where non-cooperative, electrostatic and cooperative hydrophobic interactions are of relevance. It was concluded, that in dependence on pH, conformational changes are responsible for the different interaction behavior in the NaCl-free system. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) suggests that early stage hydrophobic binding is an exothermic process followed by electrostatic interactions, which are endothermic in nature and entropy driven. After NaCl addition the interaction mechanism becomes independent of pH due to a screening of (i) attractive interactions between the surfactant head groups and oppositely charged binding sites and (ii) repulsive forces between the surfactant head groups. Furthermore, the ITC investigations have revealed that after salt-addition surfactant micelles interact with the polymer instead of separated SDS molecules due to a depression of the CMC.
Phase behaviour and the mesoscopic structure of zwitanionic surfactant mixtures based on the zwitterionic tetradecyldimethylamine oxide (TDMAO) and anionic lithium perfluoroalkyl carboxylates have been investigated for various chain lengths of the perfluoro surfactant with an emphasis on spontaneously forming vesicles. These mixtures were studied at a constant total concentration of 50 mM and characterised by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), electric conductivity, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), viscosity, and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM). No vesicles are formed for relatively short perfluoro surfactants. The extension of the vesicle phase becomes substantially larger with increasing chain length of the perfluoro surfactant, while at the same time the size of these vesicles increases. Head group interactions in these systems play a central role in the ability to form vesicles, as already protonating 10 mol% of the TDMAO largely enhances the propensity for vesicle formation. The range of vesicle formation in the phase diagram is not only substantially enlarged but also extends to shorter perfluoro surfactants, where without protonation no vesicles would be formed. The size and polydispersity of the vesicles are related to the chain length of the perfluoro surfactant, the vesicles becoming smaller and more monodisperse with increasing perfluoro surfactant chain length. The ability of the mixed systems to form well-defined unilamellar vesicles accordingly can be controlled by the length of the alkyl chain of the perfluorinated surfactant and depends strongly on the charge conditions, which can be tuned easily by pH-variation.
The enzyme diisopropyl fluorophosphatase (DFPase) from the squid Loligo vulgaris is of great interest because of its ability to catalyze the hydrolysis of highly toxic organophosphates. In this work, the enzyme structure in solution (native state) was studied by use of different scattering methods. The results are compared with those from hydrodynamic model calculations based on the DFPase crystal structure. Bicontinuous microemulsions made of sugar surfactants are discussed as host systems for the DFPase. The microemulsion remains stable in the presence of the enzyme, which is shown by means of scattering experiments. Moreover, activity assays reveal that the DFPase still has high activity in this complex reaction medium. To complement the scattering experiments cryo-SEM was also employed to study the microemulsion structure.
Using cationic polyelectrolytes with different molecular architectures, only hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) with maltose shell is suited to tailor the morphological transformation of anionic vesicles into tube-like networks. The interaction features of those materials partly mimic biological features of tubular proteins in nature.
We have performed a 15 ns molecular dynamics simulation of inverse sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles in a mixed toluene/pentanol solvent in the absence and presence of a cationic polyelectrolyte, i.e. poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC). The NAMD code and CHARMM force field were used. During the simulation time, the radii of SOS inverse micelles changed and the radii of the water droplets have been calculated. The behavior of SDS hydrocarbon chains has been characterized by calculating the orientation order parameter and the chain average length. The water droplet properties (water flow, water molecules displacement) have been examined. In summary the MD simulations indicate a more rigid and ordered surfactant film due to the formation of a polyelectrolyte palisade layer in full agreement with the experimental findings, e.g. the viscosity increase and shift of the percolation boundary.
The pH-dependent influence of two different strongly alternating copolymers [poly(N,N'-diallyl-N,N'-dimethylammonium-alt-N-phenylmaleamic carboxylate) (PalPh) and poly(N,N'-diallyl-N,a-dimethylammonium-alt-3,5-bis(carboxyphenyl) maleamic carboxylate) (PalPhBisCarb)] based on N,N'-diallyl-N, -dimethylarnmonium chloride and maleamic acid derivatives on the phase behavior of a water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion system made from toluene pentanol (1:1) and sodium dodecyl sulfate was investigated. It was shown that the optically dear phase range can be extended after incorporation of these copolymers, leading to an increased water solubilization capacity. Additionally, the required amount of surfactant to establish a clear w/o microemulsion depends on the pH value, which means the hydrophobicity of the copolymers. Conductivity measurements show that droplet droplet interactions in the w/o microemulsion are decreased at acidic but increased at alkaline pH in the presence of the copolymers. From differenctial scanning calorimetry measurements one can further conclude that these results are in agreement with a change of the position of the copolymer in the interfacial region of the surfactant film. The more hydrophobic PalPh can be directly incorporated into the surfactant film, whereas the phenyl groups of PalPhBisCarb flip into the water core by increasing the pH value.
Strongly alternating copolymers (PalH, PalPh, PalPhBisCarb) composed of N,N'-diallyl-N,N'-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (DADMAC) and maleamic acid derivatives (MAD) are synthesized by a water-based free radical copolymerization using 4,4-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) (V501) as the initiator. The structure of the copolymers is verified by 1H-NMR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric measurements, and the physicochemical properties are investigated by viscometric and potentiometric techniques. Potentiometric titration curves show that the acidity of the carboxylic groups strongly depends on the degree of dissociation and the ionic strength. Since all copolymers behave as polycations at low degree of dissociation, a transition from an extended chain to a coil conformation can be identified by reaching the isoelectric point (IEP).
The present study reports a facile approach for sulfite biosensing, based on enhanced direct electron transfer of a human sulfite oxidase (hSO) immobilized on a gold nanoparticles modified electrode. The spherical core shell AuNPs were prepared via a new method by reduction of HAuCl4 with branched poly(ethyleneimine) in an ionic liquids resulting particles with a diameter less than 10 nm. These nanoparticles were covalently attached to a mercaptoundecanoic acid modified Au-electrode where then hSO was adsorbed and an enhanced interfacial electron transfer and electrocatalysis was achieved. UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy, in combination with direct protein voltammetry, are employed for the characterization of the system and reveal no perturbation of the structural integrity of the redox protein. The proposed biosensor exhibited a quick steady-state current response, within 2 s, a linear detection range between 0.5 and 5.4 mu M with a high sensitivity (1.85 nA mu M-1). The investigated system provides remarkable advantages in the possibility to work at low applied potential and at very high ionic strength. Therefore these properties could make the proposed system useful in the development of bioelectronic devices and its application in real samples.
Hydrogel systems based on hydroxyethyl starch-polyethylene glycol methacrylate (HES-P(EG)(6)MA) or hydroxyethyl starch methacrylate (HES-MA) were used to assess the protein release behavior. Here, we analyzed the in vitro release of FITC-anti-human antibodies incorporated in either HES-P(EG)(6)MA or HES-MA hydrogel delivery systems in PBS or human serum. In addition, hydrogel disks and microparticles prepared from the two polymers were subcutaneously implanted in BALB/c mice. The in vivo release of FITC-IgG was non-invasively monitored by an in vivo imaging system (IVIS 200) over a time period of up to 3 months. The imaging system allowed to asses individual animals over time, therefore only a small number of animals was required to obtain high quality data. The reduction in fluorescence intensity at the site of administration was compared to in vitro release profiles. These investigations demonstrated a sustained release from HES-MA hydrogel disks compared to rapidly degrading HES-P(EG)(6)MA disks and microparticles. The sustained release from HES-MA disks could be further optimized by using increased polymer concentrations. Human serum as in vitro release medium reflected better the in vivo release from HES-P(EG)(6)MA systems than PBS, suggesting that the presence of organic substances like proteins or lipids may play a significant role for the release kinetics.
The synthesis of ultrafine gold nanoparticles in presence of maltose-modified hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimines) (PEI) is described. The polymer acted as both a reducing and stabilising agent in the particle formation process. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The mechanism of nanoparticle formation can be described in two steps. The reduction process of the Au3+ ions located in the inner coil region of the hyperbranched PEI led to the formation of a compact gold core, and is accompanied by a collapse of the polymer coil. Therefore, in the subsequent reduction process a gold-polymer hybrid shell is formed. By using the PEI of higher molar mass, core-shell gold nanoparticles of about 3.6 nm size with a more narrow size distribution and special fluorescence behavior could be synthesized.
Water soluble polymers can be incorporated into reverse microemulsion droplets without leaving the isotropic phase region. When the polymer is attached to the surfactant film the bending elasticity is changed, and droplet-droplet interactions are influenced. Different methods are available for studying the droplet-droplet interactions in more detail, e.g. SANS. SAXS and DLS. Conductometric measurements are very useful for detecting exchange processes between the droplets. In presence of polyampholytes a pH dependent tuning of the membrane properties becomes possible, experimentally detectable by conductometry.
Asymmetric gold nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of maltose-modified poly(ethyleneimine)
(2012)
A self-assembled tube-like network, spontaneously formed by adding maltose-modified poly(ethyleneimine) (mal-PEI5000) to mixed phospholipid vesicles, can be used as a template for the formation of gold nanoparticles. High resolution TEM indicates that the growing process leads not only to the formation of spherical gold nanoparticles with an absorption maximum at 520 nm, but also very flat triangles, hexagons, and long bent rods are formed, revealing an absorption maximum in the NIR at about 850 nm.
One can conclude that nanorods, nanotriangles and nanohexagons are predominantly formed in the tubular network structure.
This paper is focused on the formation and recovery of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles in two different types of polycation-modified reverse microemulsions using low molecular weight poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI). Both polymers were incorporated in a quaternary w/o microemulsion consisting of water, toluene-pentanol (1 : 1), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), as well as in a ternary w/o microemulsion consisting of water, heptanol, and 3( N,N-dimethyl-dodecylammonio)-propanesulfonate (SB). UV-vis and fluorescence measurements in the microemulsion illustrate the capping effect of the polycations on the formation of the CdS quantum dots. The nanoparticles are redispersed in water and characterized by using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, in combination with dynamic light scattering. From the quaternary microemulsion, only nanoparticle aggregates of about 100 nm can be redispersed, but, from the ternary microemulsion, well-stabilized polycation-capped CdS quantum dots can be obtained. The results show that the electrostatic interactions between the polycation and the surfactant are of high relevance especially in the solvent evaporation and redispersion process. That means only that in the case of moderate polycation-surfactant interactions a redispersion of the polymer-capped CdS quantum dots without problems of aggregation is possible.
Wood has an excellent mechanical performance, but wider utilization of this renewable resource as an engineering material is limited by unfavorable properties such as low dimensional stability upon moisture changes and a low durability. However, some wood species are known to produce a wood of higher quality by inserting mainly phenolic substances in the already formed cell walls a process so-called heartwood formation. In the present study, we used the heartwood formation in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) as a source of bioinspiration and transferred principles of the modification in order to improve spruce wood properties (Picea abies) by a chemical treatment with commercially available flavonoids. We were able to effectively insert hydrophobic flavonoids in the cell wall after a tosylation treatment for activation. The chemical treatment reduced the water uptake of the wood cell walls and increased the dimensional stability of the bulk spruce wood. Further analysis of the chemical interaction of the flavonoid with the structural cell wall components revealed the basic principle of this bioinspired modification. Contrary to established modification treatments, which mainly address the hydroxyl groups of the carbohydrates with hydrophilic substances, the hydrophobic flavonoids are effective by a physical bulking in the cell wall most probably stabilized by pi-pi interactions. A biomimetic transfer of the underlying principle may lead to alternative cell wall modification procedures and improve the performance of wood as an engineering material.
Hybrid magnetic nanoparticles (mgNP) with a magnetite core diameter of 10 +/- 1 nm surface functionalized with oligo(omega-pentadecalactone) (OPDL) oligomers with M-n between 1300 and 3300 g mol(-1) could be successfully prepared having OPDL grafted from 200 mg g(-1) to 2170 mg g(-1). The particles are dispersible in chloroform resulting in stable suspensions. Magnetic response against an external magnetic field proved the superparamagnetic nature of the particles with a low coercivity (B-c) value of 297 mu T. The combination of the advantageous superparamagnetism of the mgNP with the exceptional stability of OPDL makes these novel hybrid mgNP promising candidates as multifunctional building blocks for magnetic nanocomposites with tunable physical properties.
Novel hydrogels based on hydroxyethyl starch modified with polyethylene glycol methacrylate (HES-P(EG)(6)MA) were developed as delivery system for the controlled release of proteins. Since the drug release behavior is supposed to be related to the pore structure of the hydrogel network the pore sizes were determined by cryo-SEM, which is a mild technique for imaging on a nanometer scale. The results showed a decreasing pore size and an increase in pore homogeneity with increasing polymer concentration. Furthermore, the mesh sizes of the hydrogels were calculated based on swelling data. Pore and mesh size were significantly different which indicates that both structures are present in the hydrogel. The resulting structural model was correlated with release data for bulk hydrogel cylinders loaded with FITC-dextran and hydrogel microspheres loaded with FITC-IgG and FITC-dextran of different molecular size. The initial release depended much on the relation between hydrodynamic diameter and pore size while the long term release of the incorporated substances was predominantly controlled by degradation of the network of the much smaller meshes.
The ternary system composed of the ionic liquid surfactant (IL-S) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecylsulfate ([Bmim][DodSO(4)]), the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([Emim][EtSO4]), and toluene has been investigated. Three major mechanisms guiding the structure of the isotropic phase were identified by means of conductometric experiments, which have been correlated to the presence of oil-in-IL, bicontinuous, and IL-in-oil microemulsions. IL-S forms micelles in toluene, which swell by adding RTIL as to be shown by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments. Therefore, it is possible to form water free IL-in-oil reverse microemulsions <= 10 nm in size as a new type of nanoreactor.
This paper focuses on two different strategies to incorporate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into the matrix of polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels. Poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) is used as both reducing and stabilizing agent for the formation of AuNPs. In addition, the influence of an ionic liquid (IL) (i.e., 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate) on the stability of the nanoparticles and their immobilization in the hydrogel is investigated The results show that AuNPs surrounded by a shell containing PEI and IL, synthesized according to the one-pot approach, are much better immobilized within the PAAm hydrogel. Hereby, the IL is responsible for structural changes in the hydrogel as well as the improved stabilization and embedding of the AuNPs into the polymer gel matrix.
Experimental results indicated the contact angles in the drops of Janus emulsions formed in a one-step mixing process to be invariant within a significant range the oil volume ratios, similar to the results from microfluidics emulsification. Since this result points to a connection between the kinetically formed emulsions and the local equilibrium topology of emulsion drops, the effect of interfacial tensions on the morphology of Janus emulsions was estimated from the equilibrium interfacial tensions at the line of contact. Realistic values of the tensions revealed the limited range of these to obtain Janus drops and also offered correlation between the equilibrium entities and the curvature of the interface between the two oils.
Fluorescent gold clusters synthesized in a poly(ethyleneimine) modified reverse microemulsion
(2013)
This paper is focused on the formation of gold clusters in a tailor-made polyelectrolyte-modified reverse microemulsion using poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) as a cationic polyelectrolyte. PEI incorporated into a ternary w/o microemulsion consisting of water/heptanol/zwitterionic surfactant 3-(N,N-dimethyl-dodecylammonio)-propanesulfonate (SB) acts as a reducing and stabilizing agent and shows an additional template effect. The nanoparticle synthesis is performed by a simple mixing of two microemulsions, one containing the PEI and the other one containing the gold chloride precursor. UV-vis measurements in the microemulsion show two pronounced absorption maxima, one at 360 nm and the other one at 520 nm, indicating two particle fractions. The absorption maximum at 360 nm in combination to the unique fluorescence properties indicate the formation of gold clusters. After a complete solvent evaporation the redispersed nanoparticles have been characterized by using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, in combination to dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition to the gold nanoparticle fraction (>5 nm) the fluorescent gold cluster fraction (<2 nm) can be redispersed without particle aggregation. By means of asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF-FFF) two different cluster fractions with particle diameter (<2 nm) can be identified.
The present paper is related to interactions between strongly alternating polyampholytes, i.e., copolymers of N,N'-diallyl-N,N'-dimethylammonium chloride and maleamic acid derivatives, varying in hydrophobicity and excess charges and the oppositely charged anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Surface tension measurements have revealed a complex behavior with the formation of polyampholyte-SDS complexes at water air interfaces which depends on both the hydrophobic character of the polyampholyte and electrostatic attractive forces between the polyampholyte and the anionic surfactant in dependence on pH. Hereby, maleamic acid copolymers with additional carboxylic groups in the phenylic side chain show a significant lower surface tension at the critical association concentration (CAC) due to the formation of surface-active SDS complexes and multicomplexes. In the presence of only one carboxylic group in the p-position the CAC can be strongly shifted by varying the pH due to repulsive electrostatic interactions.
The influence of a polyampholyte, i.e., poly(N,N’-diallyl-N,N’-dimethyl-altmaleamic carboxylate) (PalH), on the lamellar liquid crystalline (LC) system sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/decanol/water was investigated by means of microdifferential scanning calorimetry, small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS), and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. After incorporating PalH into the lamellar liquid crystalline system, SAXS measurements show that three different LC phases exist: i.e., a swelling, slightly swelling, and non-swelling one. At pH 4, the positively charged polymer with an extended conformation can directly adsorb at the anionic head groups of the surfactant and more compact vesicles are formed at room temperature. At pH 9, the electrostatic interactions between the polyampholyte (in a more coiled conformation) and the sulfate head groups of the SDS are leveled off and incompact vesicles are formed at room temperature. That means in presence of the polyampholyte the morphology of the LC phase, i.e., the supramolecular vesicle structure, can be tuned by varying the pH and/or the temperature.
The equilibrium topology of an aqueous Janus emulsion of two oils, O1 and O2, with water, W, [(O1+O2)/W], is numerically evaluated with the following realistic interfacial tensions (): (O2/W)=5 mNm(-1), (O1/O2)=1 mNm(-1), and (O1/W) varies within the range 4-5 mNm(-1), which is the limiting range for stable Janus drop topology. The relative significance of the two independently pivotal factors for the topology is evaluated, that is, the local equilibrium at the line of contact between the three liquids and the volume fraction of the two dispersed liquids within the drop. The results reveal a dominant effect of the local equilibrium on the fraction of the O2 drop surface that is covered by O1. In contrast, for a constant volume of O2, the impact of the interfacial tension balance on the limit of the coverage is modest for an infinite volume of O1. Interestingly, when the O1 volume exceeds this value, an emulsion inversion occurs, and the O1 portion of the (O1+O2)/W topology becomes a continuous phase, generating a (W+O2)/O1 Janus configuration.
For the first time tubulating properties of spherical dendritic glycopolymers and linear alternating polyampholytes against non-uniform negatively charged giant vesicles are proven by light microscopy and cryo-scanning electron microscopy study. Real time observation of the morphological transformation from giant vesicles to tubular structures, simulating morphogenesis in living cells, is given by using the cationic and H-bond active dendritic glycopolymer accompanied by reducing the size of the giant vesicles and the evidence of vesicle-vesicle interaction which was only postulated in a previous study. Similar morphogenesis of non-uniform giant vesicles into tubular network structure can be observed by using a polyampholyte in the stretched conformation at pH 9. Pearl necklace and tubular network structure formation are also observed by applying anionic vesicles of significant smaller dimensions with average size dimensions of 35 nm, after adding the polyampholyte at pH 9. However, the fitting accuracy between the functional groups along the backbone chain of the polyampholyte on one side and the vesicle surface on the other side is of high importance for the transformation process by using polyampholytes. The resulting tubular and network structures offer new fields of application as microfluidic transport channels or template phases for the shape controlled formation of nanoparticles. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A vegetable oil (VO) was added to an emulsion of silicone oil in water (SO/W) with mixing limited to once turning the test tube upside down. Initially, the VO was dispersed into virtually centimeter-sized drops and the emulsion contained effectively no Janus drops, while after 1 h of agitation at a low level to prevent creaming, drops of 50-100-mu m size of the two oils were observed: in addition to an insignificant number of Janus drops. The topology of the latter showed them to emanate from flocculated individual drops of the two oils, but with no discernible effect by the interfacial tension equilibrium on the drop topology. Continued gentle mixing gave increasing fraction of Janus drops of increased size with a topology gradually approaching the one expected from the interfacial equilibrium at the contact line. The spontaneous formation of Janus drops indicated a reduction of the interfacial free energy in the process and the interfacial energy difference between separate and Janus drops was calculated for an appropriate range of interfacial tensions and for all oil fractions. The calculations enabled a distinction of the decrease due to interfacial area changes from the reduction of interfacial tensions per se, with the latter only a minor fraction.
Materials derived from renewable resources are highly desirable in view of more sustainable manufacturing. Among the available natural materials, wood is one of the key candidates, because of its excellent mechanical properties. However, wood and wood-based materials in engineering applications suffer from various restraints, such as dimensional instability upon humidity changes. Several wood modification treatments increase water repellence, but the insertion of hydrophobic polymers can result in a composite material which cannot be considered as renewable anymore. In this study, we report on the grafting of the fully biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) inside the wood cell walls by Sn(Oct)(2) catalysed ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The presence of polyester chains within the wood cell wall structure is monitored by confocal Raman imaging and spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy. Physical tests reveal that the modified wood is more hydrophobic due to the bulking of the cell wall structure with the polyester chains, which results in a novel fully biodegradable wood material with improved dimensional stability.
As an engineering material derived from renewable resources, wood possesses excellent mechanical properties in view of its light weight but also has some disadvantages such as low dimensional stability upon moisture changes and low durability against biological attack. Polymerization of hydrophobic monomers in the cell wall is one of the potential approaches to improve the dimensional stability of wood. A major challenge is to insert hydrophobic monomers into the hydrophilic environment of the cell walls, without increasing the bulk density of the material due to lumen filling. Here, we report on an innovative and simple method to insert styrene monomers into tosylated cell walls (i.e. -OH groups from natural wood polymers are reacted with tosyl chloride) and carry out free radical polymerization under relatively mild conditions, generating low wood weight gains. In-depth SEM and confocal Raman microscopy analysis are applied to reveal the distribution of the polystyrene in the cell walls and the lumen. The embedding of polystyrene in wood results in reduced water uptake by the wood cell walls, a significant increase in dimensional stability, as well as slightly improved mechanical properties measured by nanoindentation.
Janus emulsions were formed by mixing three immiscible liquids; this implies two oil components (i.e. olive oil (00) and silicone oil (SiO)) with water in presence of interfacial active components. The morphology and size of Janus droplets formed strongly depended on the type of surfactant used. In presence of a non-ionic surfactant, i.e. Tween 80, large engulfed Janus droplets were formed. By adding phospholipids to the system the droplet size was decreased and more stable Janus droplets formed. Interfacial tension measurements carried out using a spinning drop apparatus and a ring tensiometer demonstrate that interfacial tension is the most important factor controlling the size, morphology and stability of Janus droplets. When the interfacial tension between oil and water becomes <= 1 mN/m, smaller Janus droplets are formed. Such conditions are fulfilled when phospholipids are used in combination with non-ionic surfactant Tween 80. The morphology of the double droplets is predominantly controlled by the viscosity and interfacial tension between the two oil phases. By using different types of phospholipids, i.e. asolectin and lecithin instead of a more concentrated phosphatidylcholine (phospholipon), the interfacial tension is decreased and different morphologies of engulfing can be observed.