Electric double layer electrostatics of lipid-bilayer-encapsulated nanoparticles: Toward a better understanding of protocell electrostatics

Modeling the Electric Double Layer at the Liposome Vesicle via Classical Density Functional Theory: Solution of Poisson's Equations for Curved Membranes

The electric double layer at the liposome vesicle membrane has been investigated by a modified fundamental-measure theory in the framework of the restricted primitive model. An analytical equation has been obtained for the mean electrostatic potential (MEP) by solving Poisson's equation for curved membranes. This study investigates the influence of vesicle size, membrane thickness, surface charges, and electrolyte concentration on the structure, composition, and width of electric double layers (EDLs) on the inner and outer membrane walls. Our findings indicate that a thin and denser layer of ions is formed at the concave wall of the membrane (inner wall) compared to that at the outer membrane. As expected, the width of the diffuse layer decreases with the concentration and surface charge. Also, when the surface charges on both concave and convex walls are the same, the absolute value of MEPs on the inner membrane, concave wall, is greater than that on the convex wall. We have also investigated the diffuse potential, which decreases with concentration, membrane thickness, and cavity size, whereas it increases with surface charges. As we expect, the contact density of counterions at the inner concave wall of the vesicle cavity is always greater than the corresponding value at the convex wall, whereas this trend reverses for co-ions. Also, the contact density of counterions (co-ions) at the inner wall decreases (increases) with cavity size, whereas it increases at the outer wall (decreases). Finally, depletion of co-ions occurs at the membrane walls with enhancement in surface charges.

Structural and electrostatic properties between pH-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes studied by augmented strong stretching theory

In this paper, we study electrostatic and structural properties between pH-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes by using a strong stretching theory accounting for excluded volume interactions, the density of polyelectrolyte chargeable sites and the Born energy difference between the inside and outside of the brush layer.In a free energy framework, we obtain self-consistent field equations to determine electrostatic properties between two pH-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes. We elucidate that in the region between two pH-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes, electrostatic potential at the centerline and osmotic pressure increase not only with excluded volume interaction, but also with density of chargeable sites on a polyelectrolyte molecule. Importantly, we clarify that when two pH-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes approach each other, the brush thickness becomes short and that a large excluded volume interaction and a large density of chargeable sites yield the enhanced contract of polyelectrolyte brushes. In addition, we also demonstrate how the influence of such quantities as pH, the number of Kuhn monomers, the density of charged sites, the lateral separation between adjacent polyelectrolyte brushes, Kuhn length on the electrostatic and structural properties between the two polyelectrolyte brushes is affected by the exclusion volume interaction. Finally, we investigate the influence of Born energy difference on the thickness of polyelectrolyte brushes and the osmotic pressure between two pH-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes.

Electrophoresis of Liquid-Layer Coated Particles: Impact of Ion Partitioning and Ion Steric Effects

The biomimetic core-shell nanoparticles coated with membranes of various biological cells have attracted significant research interest, because of their extensive applications in targeted drug delivery systems. The cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer, which can be regarded as a two-dimensional oriented viscous liquid with low dielectric permittivity, compared to a bulk aqueous medium. Such a liquid layer comprised of cell membrane may bear additional mobile charges, because of the presence of free lipid molecules or charged surfactant molecules, which further results in nonzero charge along the surface of the peripheral layer. In this article, we present an analytical theory for electrophoresis of such cell membrane coated functionalized nanoparticles in the extent of electrolyte solution, considering the combined effects of finite ion size and of ion partitioning. Going beyond the Debye-Huckel approximations, we propose an analytical theory for Donnan potential and electrophoretic mobility. The derived expressions are applicable for moderate to highly charged undertaken core-shell particles when the thickness of the peripheral liquid layer greatly exceeds the electric double layer thickness. The impact of pertinent parameters on the electrophoretic response of such a particle is further discussed.

Electrophoresis of dielectric and immiscible-liquid-layer-encapsulated colloids in aqueous media

In this paper we consider the electrophoresis of a functionalized nanoparticle in electrolyte solution. The undertaken particle is comprised of a rigid inner core encapsulated with a layer of dielectric liquid (e.g., oil or lipid layer), which is immiscible to the bulk aqueous medium. The peripheral liquid layer of the undertaken nanoparticle contains mobile charges due to presence of solubilized surfactants. The mobile electrolyte ions can penetrate across the peripheral layer depending on the difference in the Born energy of the both phases. Such types of nanoparticles have received substantial attention due to their widespread applications in biomedical research. The electric double layer (EDL) is governed by the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation under a low potential limit and the electroosmotic flow field is governed by modified Stokes equation. We adopt the flat-plate formalism to obtain the closed analytical expression for the electrophoretic mobility of the undertaken particle under a thin EDL approximation. The dependence of electrophoretic mobility on the pertinent parameters is also illustrated.

Voltammetric pH Measurements Using Azure A-Containing Layer-by-Layer Film Immobilized Electrodes

pH is one of the most important properties associated with an aqueous solution and various pH measurement techniques are available. In this study, Azure A-modified poly(methacrylic acid) (AA-PMA) was synthesized used to prepare a layer-by-layer deposited film with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) on a glassy carbon electrode via electrostatic interactions and the multilayer film-immobilized electrode was used to measure pH. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement were performed. Consequently, the oxidation potential of AA on the electrode changed with pH. As per Nernst's equation, because H⁺ ions are involved in the redox reaction, the peak potential shifted depending on the pH of the solution. The peak potential shifts are easier to detect by DPV than CV measurement. Accordingly, using electrochemical responses, the pH was successfully measured in the pH range of 3 to 9, and the electrodes were usable for 50 repeated measurements. Moreover, these electrochemical responses were not affected by interfering substances.

Effect of increasing liver blood flow on nanodrug clearance by the liver for enhanced antitumor therapy

A norepinephrine-loaded nano-system can serve as an effective auxiliary agent for reducing nanodrug clearance by the liver and enhancing tumor therapy.