Refine
Year of publication
Document Type
- Article (138)
- Postprint (11)
- Monograph/Edited Volume (1)
- Other (1)
- Review (1)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (152) (remove)
Keywords
- Janus emulsions (5)
- gold nanoparticles (4)
- nanotriangles (4)
- Cryo-SEM (3)
- HRTEM (3)
- Microemulsions (3)
- Molecular dynamics simulations (3)
- Pickering emulsions (3)
- SERS (3)
- Surfactant micelles (3)
Institute
- Institut für Chemie (152) (remove)
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 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.
Watching the Vibration and Cooling of Ultrathin Gold Nanotriangles by Ultrafast X-ray Diffraction
(2016)
We study the vibrations of ultrathin gold nanotriangles upon optical excitation of the electron gas by ultrafast X-ray diffraction. We quantitatively measure the strain evolution in these highly asymmetric nano-objects, providing a direct estimation of the amplitude and phase of the excited vibrational motion. The maximal strain value is well reproduced by calculations addressing pump absorption by the nanotriangles and their resulting thermal expansion. The amplitude and phase of the out-of-plane vibration mode with 3.6 ps period dominating the observed oscillations are related to two distinct excitation mechanisms. Electronic and phonon pressures impose stresses with different time dependences. The nanosecond relaxation of the expansion yields a direct temperature sensing of the nano-object. The presence of a thin organic molecular layer at the nanotriangle/substrate interfaces drastically reduces the thermal conductance to the substrate.
Halloysites as tubular alumosilicates are introduced as inexpensive natural nanoparticles to form and stabilize oil-water emulsions. This stabilized emulsion is shown to enable efficient interfacial catalytic reactions. Yield, selectivity, and product separation can be tremendously enhanced, e.g., for the hydroformylation reaction of dodecene to tridecanal. In perspective, this type of formulation may be used for oil spill dispersions. The key elements of the described formulations are clay nanotubes (halloysites) which are highly anisometric, can be filled by helper molecules, and are abundantly available in thousands of tons, making this technology scalable for industrial applications.
Extraction of model contaminants from solid surfaces by environmentally compatible microemulsions
(2016)
In the present contribution, we evaluate the efficiency of eco-friendly microemulsions to decontaminate solid surfaces by monitoring the extraction of non-toxic simulants of sulfur mustard out of model surfaces. The extraction process of the non-toxic simulants has been monitored by means of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. The kinetics of the removal process was analyzed by different empirical models. Based on the analysis of the kinetics, we can assess the influence of the amounts of oil and water and the microemulsion structure on the extraction process. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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.
Block copolypeptoids comprising a thermosensitive, crystallizable poly(N-(n-propyl)glycine) block and a watersoluble poly(N-methylglycine) block, P70My (y = 23, 42, 76, 153, and 290), were synthesized bY ring-opening polymerization of the corresponding N-alkylglycine N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) and examined according to their thermo-induced aggregation and crystallization in water by turbidimetty, micro-differential scanning calorimetry (micro-DSC); cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and static light scattering (SLS). At a temperature above the cloud point temperature, the initially formed micellar aggregates started to crystallize and grow into larger complex assemblies of about 100-500 nm, exhibiting flower-like (P70M23), ellipsoidal (P70M42 and P70M72) or irregular shapes (P70M153 and.P70M290).
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.
This paper focused on the synthesis of triangular nanoplatelets in the presence of a tubular network structure. The tubular network structure is formed by adding a strongly alternating polyampholyte, i.e., PalPhBisCarb, to a mixed vesicle system with a negatively charged bilayer containing phosphatidylcholin and AOT. Using the tubular network as a reducing agent in a one-step procedure, triangular and hexagonal nanoplatelets are formed. One can show that the nanoplatelet yield is enhanced by increasing the temperature and decreasing the reaction time. The platelet edge length can be decreased by heating the system up to 100 A degrees C. Due to specific interactions between PalPhBisCarb and the AOT/phospholipid bilayer, stacking and welding effects lead to the formation of ordered platelet structures. The reaction pathway to flat gold nanotriangles is discussed with regard to the twin plane growth model of gold nanoplates.
This paper is focused on the temperature dependent synthesis of gold nanotriangles in a vesicular template phase, containing phosphatidylcholin and AOT, by adding the strongly alternating polyampholyte PalPhBisCarb.
UV-vis absorption spectra in combination with TEM micrographs show that flat gold nanoplatelets are formed predominantly in presence of the polyampholyte at 45 °C. The formation of triangular and hexagonal nanoplatelets can be directly influenced by the kinetic approach, i.e., by varying the polyampholyte dosage rate at 45 °C. Corresponding zeta potential measurements indicate that a temperature dependent adsorption of the polyampholyte on the {111} faces will induce the symmetry breaking effect, which is responsible for the kinetically controlled hindered vertical and preferred lateral growth of the nanoplatelets.
This paper is focused on the temperature-dependent synthesis of gold nanotriangles in a vesicular template phase, containing phosphatidylcholine and AOT, by adding the strongly alternating polyampholyte PalPhBisCarb.
UV-vis absorption spectra in combination with TEM micrographs show that flat gold nanoplatelets are formed predominantly in the presence of the polyampholyte at 45°C. The formation of triangular and hexagonal nanoplatelets can be directly influenced by the kinetic approach, i.e., by varying the polyampholyte dosage rate at 45°C. Corresponding zeta potential measurements indicate that a temperature-dependent adsorption of the polyampholyte on the {111} faces will induce the symmetry breaking effect, which is responsible for the kinetically controlled hindered vertical and preferred lateral growth of the nanoplatelets.
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.
Polyplexes between Salmon DNA and non-modified hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimines) of varying molar mass, i.e., PEI(5 k) with 5000 g/mol and PEI(25 k) with 25,000 g/mol, and modified PEI(5 k) with maltose units (PEI-Mal) were investigated in dependence on the molar N/P ratio by using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, micro differential scanning calorimetry (mu-DSC), scanning-transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM). A reloading of the polyplexes can be observed by adding the unmodified PEI samples of different molar mass. In excess of PEI a morphological transition from core-shell particles (at N/P 8) to loosely packed onion-like polyplexes (at N/P 40) is observed. The shift of the DSC melting peak from 88 degrees C to 76 degrees C indicates a destabilization of the DNA double helix due to the complexation with the unmodified PEI. Experiments with the maltose-modified PEI show a reloading already at a lower N/P ratio. Due to the presence of the sugar units in the periphery of the polycation electrostatic interactions between DNA become weaker, but cooperative H-bonding forces are reinforced. The resulting less-toxic, more compact polyplexes in excess of the PEI-Mal with two melting points and well distributed DNA segments are of special interest for extended gene delivery experiments. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Polyplexes between a double-stranded Salmon DNA and hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) as well as a maltosylated PEI-Mal were incorporated into a gelatin/chitosan hydrogel scaffold. Calorimetric experiments of the polyplexes show a decrease of the melting temperature in presence of PEI and a peak splitting in presence of PEI-Mal, which can be interpreted to a partial compaction of the DNA strands in presence of PEI-Mal. When the polyplexes are incorporated into a gelatin/chitosan scaffold in the swollen state, the DNA melting peaks at 90 and 93 degrees C, respectively, indicate in both cases the release of the DNA at the surface of the hydrogel scaffold in a more compact form. Specific interactions between the PEI-Mal shell and gelatin are responsible for the tuning of the release properties in presence of the maltose units in the hyperbranched PEI.
Polyplexes, composed of Salmon DNA and very small gold nanoparticles embedded into a dendritic glycopolymer architecture of sugar-modified poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI-Mal) with a molar mass of about 25,000 g/mol, were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, micro differential scanning calorimetry (mu-DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PEI-Mal-entrapped gold nanoparticles of about 2 nm in diameter influence the polyplex formation of the hyperbranched PEI containing bulky maltose, and in consequence the DNA is more compactized in the inner part of spherical polyplex particles of about 150 nm in diameter. The resulting more compact core shell polyplex particles with embedded gold nanoparticles in the outer polymer shell will be used as components in forthcoming gene delivery experiments. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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 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-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
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.
We report ultrasonically generated pH-responsive Pickering Janus emulsions of olive oil and silicone oil with controllable droplet size and engulfment. Chitosan was used as a pH-responsive emulsifier. The increase of pH from 2 to 6 leads to a transition from completely engulfed double emulsion droplets to dumbbell-shaped Janus droplets accompanied by a significant decrease of droplet diameter and a more homogeneous size distribution. The results can be elucidated by the conformational change of chitosan from a more extended form at pH 2 to a more flexible form at pH 4-5. Magnetic responsiveness to the emulsion was attributed by dispersing superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 with diameter of 13 +/- 2 nm) in the olive oil phase before preparing the Janus emulsion. Incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles leads to superior emulsion stability, drastically reduced droplet diameters, and opened the way to control movement and orientation of the Janus droplets according to an external magnetic field.
A one-step moderate energy vibrational emulsification method was successfully employed to produce thermo-responsive olive/silicone-based Janus emulsions stabilized by poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) carrying 0.7 mol% oleoyl side chains. Completely engulfed emulsion droplets remained stable at room temperature and could be destabilized on demand upon heating to the transition temperature of the polymeric stabilizer. Time-dependent light micrographs demonstrate the temperature-induced breakdown of the Janus droplets, which opens new aspects of application, for instance in biocatalysis.
A one-step moderate energy vibrational emulsification method was successfully employed to produce thermo-responsive olive/silicone-based Janus emulsions stabilized by poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) carrying 0.7 mol% oleoyl side chains. Completely engulfed emulsion droplets remained stable at room temperature and could be destabilized on demand upon heating to the transition temperature of the polymeric stabilizer. Time-dependent light micrographs demonstrate the temperature-induced breakdown of the Janus droplets, which opens new aspects of application, for instance in biocatalysis.
We report a modified approach to the batch scale preparation of completely engulfed core-shell emulsions or partially engulfed Janus emulsions with colorful optical properties, containing water, olive oil, and silicone oil. The in situ reduction of gold chloride, forming gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at the olive oil interface in the absence or presence of chitosan, leads to the formation of compartmentalized olive-silicone oil emulsion droplets in water. In the absence of additional reducing components, time-dependent morphological transformations from partial engulfment to complete engulfment were observed. Similar experiments in the presence of chitosan or presynthesized AuNPs show an opposite time-dependent trend of transformation of core-shell structures into partially engulfed ones. This behavior can be understood by a time-dependent rearrangement of the AuNPs at the interface and changes of the interfacial tension. The Pickering effect of AuNPs at oil-water and oil-oil interfaces brings not only color effects to individual microdroplets, which are of special relevance for the preparation of new optical elements, but also a surprising self-assembly of droplets.
Janus droplets were prepared by vortex mixing of three non-mixable liquids, i.e., olive oil, silicone oil and water, in the presence of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the aqueous phase and magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) in the olive oil. The resulting Pickering emulsions were stabilized by a red-colored AuNP layer at the olive oil/water interface and MNPs at the oil/oil interface. The core–shell droplets can be stimulated by an external magnetic field. Surprisingly, an inner rotation of the silicon droplet is observed when MNPs are fixed at the inner silicon droplet interface. This is the first example of a controlled movement of the inner parts of complex double emulsions by magnetic manipulation via interfacially confined magnetic nanoparticles.
Janus droplets were prepared by vortex mixing of three non-mixable liquids, i.e., olive oil, silicone oil and water, in the presence of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the aqueous phase and magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) in the olive oil. The resulting Pickering emulsions were stabilized by a red-colored AuNP layer at the olive oil/water interface and MNPs at the oil/oil interface. The core–shell droplets can be stimulated by an external magnetic field. Surprisingly, an inner rotation of the silicon droplet is observed when MNPs are fixed at the inner silicon droplet interface. This is the first example of a controlled movement of the inner parts of complex double emulsions by magnetic manipulation via interfacially confined magnetic nanoparticles.
SpineMan is designed as a prototype of a soft robotic manipulator that is constructed of alternating hard and soft segments similar to the human spine. Implementing such soft segments allows to surpass the rigidity of conventional robots and ensures safer workspaces where humans and machines can work side by side with less stringent safety restrictions. Therefore, we used a hydrogel as viscoelastic material consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and borax. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel were tailored by embedding silica particles of various particles sizes as well as in different mass fractions. Increased mass contents as well as larger particle sizes led to strongly enhanced rigidity with a more than doubled storage modulus of the composite compared to the pure hydrogel. Furthermore, specific functionalities were induced by the incorporation of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles that can in principle be used for sensing robotic motion and detecting malfunctions. Therefore, we precisely adjusted the saturation magnetization of the soft segments using defined mass contents of the nanoparticles. To ensure long-time shape stability and prevention of atmospheric influences on the prepared composites, a silicone skin of specific shore hardness was used. The composites and the soft segments were characterized by oscillation measurements, cryo-SEM, bending tests and SQUID measurements, which give insights into the properties in the passive and in the moving state of SpineMan. The utilization of tailored composites led to highly flexible, reinforced and functional soft segments, which ensure stability, easy movability by springs of the shape memory alloy nitinol and prevention of total failure.
Self-assembling features of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) molecules and micelle adsorption on gold Au (111) surfaces have been examined using molecular dynamics simulation. We argue that AOT micelles display a strong adsorption on gold surfaces resulting in distorted cylindrical micelles attached to the (111) facets. The well protected Au(111) facets decorated by a dense packed elongated ellipsoidal AOT layer hinder the diffusion of the reactant to the (111) facets and could result in the preferential growth of ultra-thin gold nanoplatelets.
A sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT)/benzyl hexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BDAC) mixed micelle self-organization and adsorption on gold Au(111) surfaces have been investigated using a molecular dynamics approach. The spherical AOT/BDAC mixed micelle is strongly adsorbed on the gold surface and is disoriented to a cylinder-like shape.
An atomic scale molecular dynamics simulation (100 ns) was carried out to reveal the conformational features of a cationic polyelectrolyte, i.e., hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI), inside of water-in-oil microemulsion droplets stabilized by the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant (SDS) layer. Simulations show that the polymer reorients very quickly and is localized at the headgroup region, i.e., the polymer nitrogens are close to SDS sulfur atoms. In spite of the availability of surface roughness caused by the polymer, we track a stable inverse micelle during the production run. In overall, the obtained parameters are well compared with experimental findings. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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.
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.
We have performed a 50 ns molecular dynamics simulation of a hyperbranched polymer, i.e. polyethyleneimine (PEI), inside inverse micelles formed with zwitterionic surfactants 3-(N, N-dimethyldodecylammoniio)-propansulfonate (SB) in heptanol. The runs were performed using the GROMACS simulation package. During simulation time the PEI molecule undergoes a conformational deformation and compaction. The radius of gyration of the PEI molecule finally located in the center of the water droplet is decreased from 3 nm to 1.7 nm. The unusual shrinking of the PEI molecule inside the micelle explains the extraordinary template effect of these microemulsions by making cadmium sulfide or gold clusters. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A molecular dynamics study was done to reveal the adsorption properties of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (AOT) bilayers on gold Au(111) surfaces. Examining the rotational mobility of AOT molecules, we track that the correlation time of AOT molecules on the adsorbed layer is much higher. The data estimating the diffusive motion of AOT molecule show a substantially lower rate of diffusion (similar to 10(-10) cm(2)/s) in the adsorbed layers in comparison to other ones. The results show that an adsorbed layer is more rigid, whereas the outer layers undergo considerable lateral and vertical fluctuations.
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.
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
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 aqueous self-assembly behavior of a series of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-/d-lactide) block copolymers and corresponding stereocomplexes is examined by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Block copolymers assemble into spherical micelles and worm-like aggregates at room temperature, whereby the fraction of the latter seemingly increases with decreasing lactide weight fraction or hydrophobicity. The formation of the worm-like aggregates arises from the crystallization of the polylactide by which the spherical micelles become colloidally unstable and fuse epitaxically with other micelles. The self-assembly behavior of the stereocomplex aggregates is found to be different from that of the block copolymers, resulting in rather irregular-shaped clusters of spherical micelles and pearl-necklace-like structures.