Aggregation behaviors of gemini nucleotide at the air-water interface and in solutions induced by adenine-uracil interaction

Nucleoside-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels: From Synthesis and Structural Properties to Biomedical and Tissue Engineering Applications

Supramolecular hydrogels are of great interest in tissue scaffolding, diagnostics, and drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and stimuli-responsive properties. In particular, nucleosides are promising candidates as building blocks due to their manifold noncovalent interactions and ease of chemical modification. Significant progress in the field has been made over recent years to allow the use of nucleoside-based supramolecular hydrogels in the biomedical field, namely drug delivery and 3D bioprinting. For example, their long-term stability, printability, functionality, and bioactivity have been greatly improved by employing more than one gelator, incorporating different cations, including silver for antibacterial activity, or using additives such as boric acid or even biomolecules. This now permits their use as bioinks for 3D printing to produce cell-laden scaffolds with specified geometries and pore sizes as well as a homogeneous distribution of living cells and bioactive molecules. We have summarized the latest advances in nucleoside-based supramolecular hydrogels. Additionally, we discuss their synthesis, structural properties, and potential applications in tissue engineering and provide an outlook and future perspective on ongoing developments in the field.

Reversible Photoisomerization in Thin Surface Films from Azo-Functionalized Guanosine Derivatives

Two novel azo-functionalized guanosine derivatives were synthesized, and their photoisomerization process was investigated in molecular monolayers at the air-water interface and in the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films on solid substrates. Measurements of surface pressure vs area isotherms, surface potential measurements, UV-visible (vis) absorption spectroscopy, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were performed. Despite not having a typical amphiphilic molecular structure, the derivatives formed stable films on the water surface. They could also undergo repeated photoisomerization in all of the investigated thin-film configurations. The observations suggest that in the films at the air-water interface, the molecules first exhibit a conformational change, and then they reorient to an energetically more favored orientation. In the LB films transferred onto solid substrates, the isomerization process occurs on a similar time scale as in solution. However, the isomerization efficiency is about an order of magnitude lower than that in solution. Our results show that DNA nucleobases functionalized with azobenzene moieties are suitable candidates for the fabrication of photoactive two-dimensional (2D) materials that can provide all beneficial functionalities of DNA-based compounds.

Hierarchical chirality expression of gemini surfactant aggregates via equilibrium between chiral nucleotide and nonchiral mono-anions

The assembling behaviors of nonchiral dicationic amphiphilic molecules (gemini) in the presence of the mixture of chiral anionic nucleotides and nonchiral anions are investigated. We demonstrate that subtle balance of various physico-chemical parameters and the competition between chiral and nonchiral anions at the interface of gemini assemblies influences the expression of molecular chirality at the micrometer scale through the hierarchical molecular assembly.

Transforming sustained release into on-demand release: self-healing guanosine–borate supramolecular hydrogels with multiple responsiveness for Acyclovir delivery

Supramolecular hydrogels derived from natural nucleoside have promising applications for on-demand drug release with controlled on/off switch and adjustable release kinetics in response to various stimuli.

Photoisomerizable Guanosine Derivative as a Probe for DNA Base-Pairing in Langmuir Monolayers

Mixtures of azo-functionalized amphiphilic derivatives of guanosine and of amphiphilic derivatives of other DNA nucleobases were deposited at an air-water interface and repeatedly irradiated with light of 340 and 440 nm wavelengths. The consequent switching between cis and trans configurations of the azobenzene moiety caused changes in the surface pressure of the film, which were analyzed using a model based on the two-dimensional Van der Waals equation of state. For mixed films of guanosine and cytidine derivatives, the analysis revealed a significant modification of the strength of intermolecular interaction caused by the optical irradiation, while no such modifications were identified in mixed films involving other nucleobases. The difference is attributed to light-induced breaking of the hydrogen bonding that is established only between specific nucleobases. The results demonstrate that photosensitive nucleoside derivatives can be used as an efficient probe for base-pairing in Langmuir monolayers.

A step into the RNA world: Conditional analysis of hydrogel formation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate induced by cyanuric acid

Nucleotide polymerization occurs by the nucleophilic attack of 3'-oxygen of the 3'-terminal nucleotide on the α-phosphorus of the incoming nucleotide 5'-triphosphate. The π-stacking of mononucleotides is an important factor for prebiotic RNA polymerization in terms of attaining the proximity of two reacting moieties. Adenosine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) are known to form hydrogel in the presence of cyanuric acid at neutral pH. However, we observed that other canonical ribonucleotides did not gel under the same condition. The π-stacking-induced hydrogel formation of AMP was destroyed at pH 2.0, suggesting that the protonation of N at position 1 of adenine abolished hydrogen bonding with the NH of cyanuric acid and resulted in the deformation of the hexad of adenine and cyanuric acid. A liquid-like gel was formed in the case of adenosine with cyanuric acid and boric acid, whereas AMP caused the formation of a solid gel, implying that the negative charge inherent to AMP prevented the formation of esters of boric acid with the cis-diols of ribose. Cyanuric acid-driven oligomerizations of AMP might have been the first crucial event in the foundation of the RNA world.

Effect of counterions on the micellization and monolayer behaviour of cationic gemini surfactants

The effect of various inorganic and organic counterions on the aggregation behavior of gemini surfactants was examined to investigate the dominant influence of the anions on their micellization and aggregation behavior.

A colloidally stable water dispersion of Ni nanowires as an efficient T2-MRI contrast agent

A colloidally stable dispersion of anisotropic Ni nanowires in water has been achieved showing good performance as a T₂-contrast agent in MRI.

Molecular recognition of a lipophilic guanosine derivative in Langmuir films at the air-water interface

Molecular recognition of a lipophilic deoxyguanosine derivative at the air-water interface was investigated by film balance experiments and Brewster Angle Microscopy. Results showed that guanosine, despite strong tendency towards self-assembly, interacts with both complementary and noncomplementary liponucleosides (lipophilic derivatives of deoxycytidine and deoxythymidine). At surface pressures below 17mN/m, attractive and repulsive interactions were present in case of both mixed monolayers and were the strongest at guanosine molar fractions of 0.5 and 0.75. At higher values of surface pressure, deoxyguanosine-deoxycytidine interactions were strictly attractive and were present only for monolayers with guanosine molar fraction of 0.75. On the contrary, attractive and repulsive interactions remained present in case of deoxyguanosine-deoxythymidine mixed monolayers. This indicates that interactions between guanosine and cytidine are much stronger than guanosine-thymidine interactions. Interactions for none of the nucleoside pairs, however, are specific and π-stacking interactions between the aromatic planes of liponucleoside derivatives probably dominate over hydrogen bonding interactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.

Probing the Interaction between a DNA Nucleotide (Adenosine-5'-Monophosphate Disodium) and Surface Active Ionic Liquids by Rotational Relaxation Measurement and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

This article demonstrates the interaction of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nucleotide, adenosine-5'-monophosphate disodium (AMP) with a cationic surface active ionic liquid (SAIL) 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazoium chloride (C₁₂mimCl), and an anionic SAIL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium n-octylsulfate ([C₄mim][C₈SO₄]). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and ¹H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) studies indicate that substantial interaction is taking place among the DNA nucleotide (AMP) and the SAILs. Moreover, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) suggests that SAILs containing micellar assemblies are transformed into larger micellar assemblies in the presence of DNA nucleotides. Additionally, the rotational motion of two oppositely charged molecules, rhodamine 6G perchlorate (R6G) and fluorescein sodium salt (Fl-Na), have been monitored in these aggregates. The rotational motion of R6G and Fl-Na differs significantly between SAILs micelles and SAILs-AMP containing larger micellar aggregates. The effect of negatively charged DNA nucleotide (AMP) addition into the cationic and anionic SAILs is more prominent for the cationic charged molecule R6G than that of anionic probe Fl-Na due to the favorable electrostatic interaction between the AMP and cationic R6G. Moreover, the influence of the anionic DNA nucleotide on the cationic and anionic SAIL micelles is monitored through the variation of the lateral diffusion motion of oppositely charged probe molecules (R6G and Fl-Na) inside these aggregates. This variation in diffusion coefficient values also suggests that the interaction pattern of these oppositely charged probes are different within the SAILs-nucleotide containing aggregates. Therefore, both rotational and translational diffusion measurements confirm that the DNA nucleotide (AMP) renders more rigid microenvironment within the micellar solution of SAILs.

Supramolecular gels made from nucleobase, nucleoside and nucleotide analogs

Supramolecular or molecular gels are attractive for various applications, including diagnostics, tissue scaffolding and targeted drug release. Gelators derived from natural products are of particular interest for biomedical purposes, as they are generally biocompatible and stimuli-responsive. The building blocks of nucleic acids (i.e. nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides) are desirable candidates for supramolecular gelation as they readily engage in reversible, noncovalent interactions. In this review, we describe a number of organo- and hydrogels formed through the assembly of nucleosides, nucleotides, and their derivatives. While natural nucleosides and nucleotides generally require derivatization to induce gelation, guanosine and its corresponding nucleotides are well known gelators. This unique gelating ability is due to propensity of the guanine nucleobase to self-associate into stable higher-order assemblies, such as G-ribbons, G4-quartets, and G-quadruplexes.

Uracile based glycosyl-nucleoside-lipids as low molecular weight organogelators

A new low molecular weight alcogel based on glycosyl-nucleoside-lipids is reported. This material features high elastic moduli and thixotropic properties.

Supramolecular Hydrogelators and Hydrogels: From Soft Matter to Molecular Biomaterials

In this review we intend to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of the work of supramolecular hydrogelators after 2004 and to put emphasis particularly on the applications of supramolecular hydrogels/hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials. After a brief introduction of methods for generating supramolecular hydrogels, we discuss supramolecular hydrogelators on the basis of their categories, such as small organic molecules, coordination complexes, peptides, nucleobases, and saccharides. Following molecular design, we focus on various potential applications of supramolecular hydrogels as molecular biomaterials, classified by their applications in cell cultures, tissue engineering, cell behavior, imaging, and unique applications of hydrogelators. Particularly, we discuss the applications of supramolecular hydrogelators after they form supramolecular assemblies but prior to reaching the critical gelation concentration because this subject is less explored but may hold equally great promise for helping address fundamental questions about the mechanisms or the consequences of the self-assembly of molecules, including low molecular weight ones. Finally, we provide a perspective on supramolecular hydrogelators. We hope that this review will serve as an updated introduction and reference for researchers who are interested in exploring supramolecular hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials for addressing the societal needs at various frontiers.

Enhanced Molecular Recognition between Nucleobases and Guanine-5'-monophosphate-disodium (GMP) by Surfactant Aggregates in Aqueous Solution

Only specific base pairs on DNA can bind with each other through hydrogen bonds, which is called the Watson-Crick (W/C) pairing rule. However, without the constraint of DNA chains, the nucleobases in bulk aqueous solution usually do not follow the W/C pairing rule anymore because of the strong competitive effect of water and the multi-interaction edges of nucleobases. The present work applied surfactant aggregates noncovalently functionalized by nucleotide to enhance the recognition between nucleobases without DNA chains in aqueous solution, and it revealed the effects of their self-assembling ability and morphologies on the recognition. The cationic ammonium monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric surfactants DTAB, 12-3-12, and 12-3-12-3-12 were chosen. The surfactants with guanine-5'-monophosphate-disodium (GMP) form micelles, vesicles, and fingerprint-like and plate-like aggregates bearing the hydrogen-bonding sites of GMP, respectively. The binding parameters of these aggregates with adenine (A), uracil (U), guanine (G), and cytosine(C) indicate that the surfactants can promote W/C recognitions in aqueous solution when they form vesicles (GMP/DTAB) or plate-like aggregates (GMP/12-3-12) with proper molecular packing compactness, which not only provide hydrophobic environments but also shield non-W/C recognition edges. However, the GMP/12-3-12 micelles with loose molecular packing, the GMP/12-3-12 fingerprint-like aggregates where the hydrogen bond sites of GMP are occupied by itself, and the GMP/12-3-12-3-12 vesicles with too strong self-assembling ability cannot promote W/C recognition. This work provides insight into how to design self-assemblies with the performance of enhanced molecule recognition.

Effect of Hofmeister and alkylcarboxylate anionic counterions on the Krafft temperature and melting temperature of cationic gemini surfactants

The effect of counterions was investigated to probe the principal ionic effects on the solubility in water and melting behavior of cationic gemini surfactants. We focused on two types of counterions: (1) small inorganic counterions that are typically taken from the Hofmeister series were studied to focus on the effect of ion type and (2) n-alkylcarboxylate counterions were studied to focus on the effect of the hydrophobicity of counterions. The Krafft temperature (Tk) and melting temperature (Tm) were obtained by conductivity measurements, calorimetric measurements, and optical microscopy observation. The results clearly indicate that Tk, which represents the solubility of surfactants, is not determined by a single parameter of ions such as the hydration free energy, as is too often assumed, but rather by the combined effects between the hydrophobicity of anions associated with other effects such as the polarizability, dehydrated ion size, and ionic morphology. In parallel, our observation demonstrated that all of the surfactants showed a transition from a crystalline phase to a thermotropic liquid-crystalline phase at around ca. 70 °C, which transformed to an isotropic liquid phase at around ca. 150 °C, and that the transition temperatures depended strongly on the counterion type. The counterion effects on the solubilization and melting behaviors were then compared with micellization properties that have been reported previously. These results provide new insight into understanding the effect of ions on the delicate balance of forces controlling the solution properties and aggregate morphology of charged amphiphilic molecules. Specifically, the solubilization properties of these cationic surfactants with various counterions were determined mainly by the subtle interplay between the hydration of counterions and the dissociation energies (stability of crystallinity) of the ion pair.

Using supramolecular hydrogels to discover the interactions between proteins and molecular nanofibers of small molecules

Here we report the first example of the use of supramolecular hydrogels to discover the protein targets of aggregates of small molecules.

Catalytic dephosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to form supramolecular nanofibers/hydrogels

The use of enzyme to instruct the self-assembly of the nucleoside of adenosine in water provides a new class of molecular nanofibers/hydrogels as functional soft materials.

Supramolecular systems based on novel mono- and dicationic pyrimidinic amphiphiles and oligonucleotides: a self-organization and complexation study

Novel mono- and dicationic pyrimidinic surfactants are synthesized and their aggregation behavior is studied by methods of tensiometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) self-diffusion. To estimate their potentiality as gene delivery agents, the complexation with oligonucleotides (ONus) is explored by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential titration methods and ethidium bromide exclusion experiments. Bola-type pyrimidinic amphiphile (BPM) demonstrates rather a weak affinity to ONus. Although it induces mixed associations with ONus, only slight charge compensation changes occur at a large excess of bola, with no recharging reached. Similarly, the ethydium bromide exclusion study reveals a slow increase in the binding capacity toward an ONu with an increment in BPM concentration. The monocationic pyrimidinic surfactant (MPM) and its gemini analogue (GPM-1) are ranked as intermediates in both their aggregative activity and complexing properties toward ONus. They both form mixed associates with ONus well below the critical micelle concentrations (cmcs) of 2 and 15 mM respectively. However, GPM-1 has a much lower isoelectric point at the molar ratio surfactant/ONu r~1 compared to r~3 for MPM. This probably indicates a larger electrostatic contribution to the ONu complexation in the case of GPM-1. The most hydrophobic pyrimidinic surfactant (GPM-2), bearing three alkyl tails, demonstrates enhanced aggregative activity and binding capacity toward ONus as compared to former pyrimidinic surfactants. Due to effective aggregative (low cmc of 0.04 mM) plus binding properties (fraction of bound ONu β=0.76 at r=2.5), GPM-2 may be ranked as a promising agent for wider biological applications.

Structural role of counterions adsorbed on self-assembled peptide nanotubes

Among noncovalent forces, electrostatic ones are the strongest and possess a rather long-range action. For these reasons, charges and counterions play a prominent role in self-assembly processes in water and therefore in many biological systems. However, the complexity of the biological media often hinders a detailed understanding of all the electrostatic-related events. In this context, we have studied the role of charges and counterions in the self-assembly of lanreotide, a cationic octapeptide. This peptide spontaneously forms monodisperse nanotubes (NTs) above a critical concentration when solubilized in pure water. Free from any screening buffer, we assessed the interactions between the different peptide oligomers and counterions in solutions, above and below the critical assembly concentration. Our results provide explanations for the selection of a dimeric building block instead of a monomeric one. Indeed, the apparent charge of the dimers is lower than that of the monomers because of strong chemisorption. This phenomenon has two consequences: (i) the dimer-dimer interaction is less repulsive than the monomer-monomer one and (ii) the lowered charge of the dimeric building block weakens the electrostatic repulsion from the positively charged NT walls. Moreover, additional counterion condensation (physisorption) occurs on the NT wall. We furthermore show that the counterions interacting with the NTs play a structural role as they tune the NTs diameter. We demonstrate by a simple model that counterions adsorption sites located on the inner face of the NT walls are responsible for this size control.

Counteranion effect on micellization of cationic gemini surfactants 14-2-14: Hofmeister and other counterions

The effect of counterions was investigated and analyzed to probe the principal ionic effects influencing the micellization behavior of dimeric cationic surfactant ethanediylbis(dimethyltetradecylammonium), referred to as gemini 14-2-14. The 30 counterions were classified to four different families depending on their nature: (1) small and inorganic counterions which are typically taken from the Hofmeister series were studied to focus on the effect of ion type; (2) n-alkyl carboxylate counterions were studied to focus on the effect of the hydrophobicity of counterions; (3) aromatic carboxylate counterions were included to focus on the effect of the position of substitutions; and (4) other counterions were included in order to shed light on other parameters. By investigating the critical micelle concentration (CMC), ionization degree of micelle (alpha), free energy of micellization (DeltaG(M)), and aggregation numbers N of the gemini surfactant with these different types of anions, we demonstrated the effect of different ion properties independently. This approach allowed us to describe the effect of counterions on the micellization behavior of the gemini surfactant in terms of complex interplay between hydrophobicity of anions and other ion properties such as counterion hydration, interfacial packing of ions, and ionic morphology. Indeed, our results clearly demonstrate that a counterion effect on micellization properties cannot be described as a result of one single parameter of ions, as is too often assumed, but rather the balancing effects cooperatively affect the propensity of counterions to form ion pairs with surfactant headgroups and the entropy gain upon micellization. These results provide new insight in understanding the effect of ions on the delicate balance of forces controlling aggregate morphology and solution properties of charged amphiphilic molecules.

Nucleotide-promoted morphogenesis in amphiphile assemblies: kinetic control of micrometric helix formation

Anionic nucleotides adenosine monophosphate or guanosine monophosphate interact with cationic vesicles, exchange with the counteranions of the amphiphiles in situ, and organize themselves at the membrane surfaces. Such organized nucleotides reciprocally transfer their chirality to membranes of nonchiral amphiphiles to induce the formation of right-handed micrometric helices on the time scale of hours. The kinetics of the nucleotide molecular organization and the formation of supramolecular helices was followed. We have shown that helix formation is a kinetic-dependent process that does not primarily result from ion exchange but from conformational reorganization and formation of weak interactions between confined nucleotides.

Catanionic systems from conversion of nucleotides into nucleo-lipids

This article focuses on reactions performed in nanostructured environments where the pair of complementary nucleotides, 5'-AMP and 5'-UMP, are converted into their amphiphilic derivatives. The synthesis is carried out by using the hydrophobic reactant dodecyl epoxide (DE) dispersed in a micellar solution based on the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB). Novel nucleo-lipids monomers and CTAB molecules give rise to the spontaneous self-assembly of catanionic supramolecular structures in water, showing typical Maltese crosses in optical microscopy. In the final colloidal suspensions, mono- and dichained derivatives have been identified in the system incubated with 5'-UMP through LC-QqTOF-MS analysis, whereas only mono-alkylated adducts are found in the analogue reaction with 5'-AMP. A new di-alkylated 5'-UMP adduct is obtained from the 1:1 mixture of both complementary nucleotides, in addition to the nucleo-lipids found in separate systems. Time-resolved DLS measurements reveal very different kinetic processes for aggregates' formation when 5'-UMP, 5'-AMP, or their equimolar combination are used in the reaction mixture. This system as a whole represents a potential experimental model where the effect of both intermolecular interactions and self-association processes can be investigated by tuning the type of nucleobases in the reaction mixtures.

Nucleotides and nucleolipids derivatives interaction effects during multi-lamellar vesicles formation

In this paper a micellar interface, constituted by the cationic surfactant CTAB, in presence of 1,2-epoxydodecane and nucleotides was used for catanionic multi-lamellar vesicles (MLVs) formation. The micellar solution of CTAB is able to disperse the 1,2 epoxydodecane in the micellar core promoting the reaction of this reagent with the nucleotide attracted by the positive surface charge of the micellar aggregates. The alkylation of AMP and UMP nucleotides leads to the synthesis of nucleolipids. The behaviour of the supramolecular structures formed depends on the starting reagents (AMP, UMP and AMP+UMP) and on the assembly capabilities of the products. In particular nucleotides and nucleotides derivatives interaction effects are evaluated during the multi-lamellar vesicles formation. NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis measurements performed on MLVs showed strong aryl interactions. Interestingly, NMR spectra revealed prevailing stacking interactions between complementary nucleolipids. The assembly of complementary nucleotides affects the course of the reaction during the MLVs formation. Moreover the MLVs supramolecular stability has been tested by means of turbidity and UV-vis measurements. In particular, an enhanced stability has been found in systems prepared with complementary nucleotides confirming that in these systems the self-assembly process is influenced by nucleolipids interactions. Furthermore by following the hypocromic effect during the micellar catalysis, we showed that even in the earlier stages of the reaction significant differences are detectable.

Self-assembly of nucleoamphiphiles: investigating nucleosides effect and the mechanism of micrometric helix formation

A new family of self-assembling systems based on nucleoamphiphiles is described. Nano to micrometric left-handed helix formation in aqueous solution was induced simply by complexing a GMP or an AMP with a nonchiral monocationic amphiphile. The assembling behavior such as micellar formation, monolayer at air-water interface, as well as the aggregates in solution of these nucleoamphiphiles are strongly influenced by the presence of nucleosides in solution. The observed effects depend on the properties of complexed nucleotides and nucleosides with a complex mixture of pi stacking, hydrophobicity of the bases, and hydrogen bonding.

Effects of organic salt additives on the behavior of dimeric ("gemini") surfactants in aqueous solution

The effects of a series of aromatic anions, so-called hydrotropes, on characteristic solution properties of a family of ammonium gemini surfactants with dodecyl chains were explored. The stoichiometric addition of the organic salts to the geminis can result in clear solutions or in phase separation/precipitation, depending on the detailed nature of the added counterions and on the spacer group of the gemini surfactant. Many organic anions induce synergistic effects, strongly reducing the critical micellization concentration (cmc) and the surface tension at the cmc. Furthermore, a number of combinations of organic anions and geminis exhibit thickening of their aqueous solutions. The effects of the added salts are strongly enhanced for the gemini surfactants compared to the monomeric analogue N-dodecyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride. Even anions such as benzoate may be effective for thickening, and viscoelastic solutions can be obtained with salicylate despite the relatively short alkyl chains.

Design and Interfacial Assembly of a New Series of Gemini Amphiphiles with Hydrophilic Poly(ethyleneamine) Spacers

A new series of gemini amphiphiles containing two Schiff base moieties linked by the poly(ethyleneamine) with different lengths were designed, and their interfacial assemblies were investigated. Condensed monolayers were obtained on nearly neutral subphase where the hydrophilic spacers were found to immerse into the subphase. On strong alkaline and acidic subphase, the headgroup and the spacer of the gemini amphiphiles underwent dissociation and protonation, respectively, resulting in the enlargement of the molecular areas. Flat and uniform domains were obtained for the monolayers from nearly neutral subphase; flower-like or dendritic domains were observed for the films transferred from strong acidic subphase. On the other hand, when an anionic tetrakis(4-sulfonatonphenyl)porphine (TPPS) was added into an acidic subphase, an in situ complex formation between the gemini amphiphiles and TPPS occurred. The complex monolayers were transferred onto solid substrate and TPPS existed predominantly as J-aggregate in the complex films. Due to the multisited positive charges in the spacer on acidic subphase, the complex films of gemini amphiphiles with TPPS appeared as short fiber or nanorod structures and formed two-dimensional (2D) conglomerate chiral domains.

Phase Behavior and Thermodynamics of a Mixture of Cationic Gemini and Anionic Surfactant

We present the phase behavior and thermodynamics of the catanionic mixture of the gemini surfactant hexanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide), designated here as 12-6-12Br(2), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) over the full range of composition, at the water-rich corner. Visual and turbidity measurements of the mixtures provide some basic macroscopic information on phase behavior. The structure of the aggregates formed spontaneously in the mixtures has been observed with TEM. As the molar fraction of SDS, X(SDS), is increased, at constant total surfactant concentration, the aggregation morphologies change gradually from gemini-rich micelles, through multiphase regions containing a precipitate (catanionic surfactant) and a vesicle region, to SDS-rich micelles. From isothermal titration calorimetry measurements, the phase boundaries and corresponding enthalpy changes for phase transitions have been obtained. The formation of the different microstructures, in particular, the spontaneously formed vesicles in the SDS-rich side, is discussed on the basis of geometric and electrostatic effects occurring in the SDS-gemini mixture.