Properties of binary surfactant systems of nonionic surfactants C12E10, C12E23, and C12E42 with a cationic gemini surfactant in aqueous solutions

Comparison of a single pharmaceutical surfactant versus intestinal biorelevant media for etravirine dissolution: Role and impact of micelle diffusivity

Etravirine is an antiviral whose oral absorption is limited by low solubility/dissolution. The objective was to predict and compare etravirine's surfactant-mediated dissolution into polyoxyethylene-10 lauryl ether (POE) and FeSSIF-V2, including the contribution of slow micelle diffusivity. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to measure the size and diffusivity values of drug-loaded micelles. In vitro intrinsic dissolution into surfactant media were predicted using a model for surfactant-mediated dissolution. Compared to maleic buffer, POE and FeSSIF-V2 increased etravirine solubility 232-fold and 8.97-fold, respectively. From DLS, micelle diffusivity of drug-loaded POE micelle and FeSSIF-V2 mixed-micelle was 5.15x10^-7 cm²/s and 5.76x10^-8 cm²/s, respectively. Observed and predicted dissolution enhancement into POE were 50.7 and 31.3, and 1.26 and 1.24 into FeSSIF-V2, respectively. Hence, there was high dissolution enhancement into POE, although the observed enhancement was only 21.9% of the observed solubility enhancement, reflecting the attenuating impact of the large and slowly diffusing drug-loaded POE micelles. Meanwhile, there was minimal dissolution enhancement into FeSSIF-V2, and the observed enhancement was only 14.0% of the observed solubility enhancement, reflecting the even slower diffusing drug-loaded FeSSIF-V2 mixed-micelles compared to drug-loaded POE micelles. Results are considered in light of designing a single pharmaceutical surfactant system for dissolution that mimics a FeSSIF-V2 system.

Refolding of denatured gold nanoparticles-conjugated bovine serum albumin through formation of catanions between gemini surfactant and sodium dodecyl sulphate

The present work elucidates binding interactions of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with the conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-bovine serum albumin (BSA), unfolded by each of two gemini surfactants, 1,4-bis(dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide)-butane (12-4-12,2Br-) or 1,8-bis(dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide)-octane (12-8-12,2Br-). Initially, at a low concentration of SDS there is a relaxation of bioconjugates from their compressed form due to the formation of catanions between SDS and gemini surfactants. On moving towards higher concentrations of SDS, these relaxed unfolded bioconjugates renature by removal of residual bound gemini surfactants. Mixed assemblies of SDS and gemini surfactants formed during refolding of bioconjugates are characterized by DLS and FESEM measurements. A step-by-step process of refolding observed for these denatured protein bioconjugates is exactly the inverse of their unfolding phenomenon. Parameters concerning nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) and Förster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) phenomenon were employed to develop a binding isotherm. Moreover, there remains an inverse relationship between α-helix and β-turns of bioconjugates during the refolding process. Significantly, in the presence of 12-8-12,2Br-, SDS induces more refolding as compared to that for 12-4-12,2Br-. Bioconjugation shows an effect on the secondary structures of refolded BSA, which has been explored in detail through various studies such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD). Therefore, this approach vividly describes the refolding of denatured bioconjugates, exploring structural information regarding various catanions formed during the process that would help in understanding distance-dependent optical biomolecular detection methodologies and physicochemical properties.

Ionic liquid-biosurfactant blends as effective dispersants for oil spills: Effect of carbon chain length and degree of saturation

The well-known toxicity of conventional chemical oil spill dispersants demands the development of alternative and environmentally friendly dispersant formulations. Therefore, in the present study we have developed a pair of less toxic and green dispersants by combining lactonic sophorolipid (LS) biosurfactant individually with choline myristate and choline oleate ionic liquid surfactants. The aggregation behavior of resulted surfactant blends and their dispersion effectiveness was investigated using the baffled flask test. The introduction of long hydrophobic alkyl chain with unsaturation (attached to choline cation) provided synergistic interactions between the binary surfactant mixtures. The maximum dispersion effectiveness was found to be 78.23% for 80:20 (w/w) lactonic sophorolipid-choline myristate blends, and 81.15% for 70:30 (w/w) lactonic sophorolipid-choline oleate blends at the dispersant-to-oil ratio of 1:25 (v/v). The high dispersion effectiveness of lactonic sophorolipid-choline oleate between two developed blends is attributed to the stronger synergistic interactions between surfactants and slower desorption rate of blend from oil-water interface. The distribution of dispersed oil droplets at several DOR were evaluated and it was observed that oil droplets become smaller with increasing DOR. In addition, the acute toxicity analysis of developed formulations against zebra fish (Danio rerio) confirmed their non-toxic behavior with LC₅₀ values higher than 400 ppm after 96 h. Overall, the proposed new blends/formulations could effectively substitute the toxic and unsafe chemical dispersants.

Adsorption of P103 Nanoaggregates on Graphene Oxide Nanosheets: Role of Electrostatic Forces in Improving Nanosheet Dispersion

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet suspension is not stable in physiological ionic fluids. To improve stability, surfactants such as Pluronic 103 (P103) have been tested. Going further, this work investigated whether conferring positive surface charge to the surfactant may improve the adsorption ability of P103 micelles on GO sheets. Positive charge on the surfactant was induced by adding dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB, a cationic surfactant) in P103 micelles. Subsequent changes in aggregation parameters were investigated through dynamic light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering studies. DTAB incorporation was accompanied by a steady increase in the ζ potential and mixed micelle formation. At high surface charge density, the interaction between adjacent head groups was distorted, which led to dissociation of mixed micelles. Structural developments during the adsorption of mixed micelles on the sheet surface (mass fractal formation) were monitored in terms of changes in the scattering features of aggregates. These fractals emerged as a result of electrostatic interactions. Our observations point toward the existence of small-sized building blocks at low DTAB concentration (≤4 mM). With a superior adsorption, mixed micelles are expected to occupy the intersheet space and maintain a hydration layer. However, at a higher DTAB concentration (≥10 mM), micelles dissociate to produce DTAB-rich unimers and P103-rich loose aggregates. At this point, sheets tend to aggregate in the solvent, regardless of fractal formation.

Adsorption dynamics of polymeric nanoparticles at an air-water interface with addition of surfactants

HYPOTHESIS

The unusual observation that addition of sodium dodecylsulfate surfactant to an aqueous nanoparticle dispersion slows down the decrease of air:water interfacial tension is attributed to the combined interactions of the nanoparticle with surfactant and surfactant at the air:water interface. Such dynamics are controlled by electrostatic interactions.

EXPERIMENTS

The study of dynamics is achieved using the maximum bubble pressure measurement of surface tension from 0.1 s to 30 s. The NPs are assembled by Flash NanoPrecipitation with 5 kDa polyethylene glycol coronas, and cores of polystyrene, polydimethylsiloxane, or polycaprolactone. Anionic (sodium dodecylsulfate), cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), and non-ionic (decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether) surfactants are employed over concentration 10^-4 to 10^-2 mM. The zeta potentials of the NPs are measured with surfactants. Electrostatic repulsion between charged NPs and interface is calculated, as well as the adsorption energy.

FINDINGS

This is the first report to quantitatively explain the effect of surfactants on the dynamics of NP assembly at an interface. An electrostatic energy barrier slows the adsorption kinetics for NPs when the NPs have the same charge as the interface. Increasing ionic strength of the solution reduces the electrostatic barrier. Decreasing interactions between the NP core material and the surfactant reduces the barrier. Our findings offer new insights into understanding of NP interfacial self-assembly dynamics in a complex environment.

Desorption process and morphological analysis of real polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated soil by the heterogemini surfactant and its mixed systems

Surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER) is an efficient and low-cost technology for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated sites. This study assessed the desorption processes and effects of Heterogemini surfactant (Dodecyldimethylammonium bromide/tetradecyldimethylammonium bromide, DBTB), two traditional surfactants (Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, CTAB; Sorbitan monolaurate, Span 20) and their mixed systems on the real PAHs-contaminated soil from an abandoned coking plant, as well they were analyzed micro morphologically. DBTB had greater desorption capability for PAHs and favorable interaction with the traditional surfactants confirmed by reaction parameters β^m and Gibbs. Whether for total PAHs (TPAHs) or different molecular weight PAHs, the mixed system Span 20/DBTB had larger molar solubilization ratio (MSR) and partition coefficient (K_m) than CTAB/DBTB, the highest desorption rate for TPAHs reaching 68.83%. Additionally, microscopic morphology showed micelles of Span 20/DBTB were more dispersed and formed strings easily, explaining its good desorption capability. What resulted demonstrated the feasibility of DBTB, a novel Heterogemini surfactant, and its mixed systems remediating PAHs-contaminated soil of abandoned industrial site.

Study on the Complex System of Sodium Lauryl Diphenyl Ether Disulfonate and Dodecyl Dimethyl Hydroxyethyl Ammonium Chloride

Surface chemical properties of the mixed system of sodium lauryl diphenyl ether disulfonate (C12-MADS, an anionic surfactant with double hydrophilic groups) and dodecyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride (K3, a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant) along with different proportion have been studied at 298 K and 318 K. Synergistic parameters of the mixture in the mixed micelles and the mixed adsorption layer were also calculated by using the regular solution theory. The composition of the mixed micelles and of the mixed adsorption layer was obtained. The results show that the surface chemical properties of C12-MADS/K3 mixture are better than either of single system, and when the solution ratio (α1 = [n (K3)/n (C12-MADS + K3)]) is 0.7 and 0.9, the surface tension curve has a double inflection point which indicates a synergistic effect between the surfactant molecules. The complex system showed a strong synergistic effect in the mixed adsorption layer and the mixed micelles. The mixed system of C12-MADS/K3 has synergism in surface tension reduction effectiveness, surface tension reduction efficiency and mixed micelle formation. When α1 is 0.67, the synergistic effect is the strongest.

Effects of 1-hexanol on C12E10 micelles: a molecular simulations and light scattering study

The micelles of the non-ionic C₁₂E₁₀ surfactant and 1-hexanol as an aqueous solution additives are studied toward the purpose of understanding the role of alcohol additives in tuning the characteristics of alkyl-ethoxylate micellar systems. Our dynamic light scattering and cloud point experiments show that the addition of hexanol induces a response similar to an increase of temperature. We associate the change with increased attraction between the micelles at low to moderate hexanol loadings and a potential increase of the aggregate size at a high hexanol-to-surfactant ratio. Detailed molecular dynamic simulation characterization shows that hexanol solubilizes to a micelle palisade layer when the hexanol-to-C₁₂E₁₀ ratio is less than or equal to 0.5 while swollen micelles, in which a part of hexanol forms an oil core, are present when the ratio increases above approximately 1.5. The simulations indicate that the surface of the micelles is rough. Formation of reverse hexanol structures akin to those found in bulk octanol is observed in the oil core. Molecular simulations associate the increase in attraction between micelles observed via the experiments with decreased chain density in the headgroup region. This density decrease is caused by hexanol molecules solubilized between neighbouring surfactants. Altogether, these findings provide detailed physical characterization of the effect of an archetypal solution additive, hexanol, on an alkyl ethoxylate micelle system. These findings could bear a significance in designing micellar and emulsion based systems with desired solution characteristics or properties for e.g. drug delivery, catalysis, or platforms for green chemistry reactions.

Surface-Active Properties of a Trimeric Sulfate-type Surfactant Derived from Glycerol

A trimeric sulfate-type surfactant was synthesized and the surface chemical properties and micellar behavior of this surfactant were investigated by surface tension and fluorescence measurements. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the surface tension at CMC both decreased with the increase of NaCl concentration. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that the micelle formation is entropy-driven. The micelle aggregation number was determined and changed little between 303 K and 313 K. All the experimental results show that the surface-active properties of the surfactant are insensitive to the temperature compared with conventional surfactants.

Properties of Binary Surfactant Mixtures of Anionic Gemini Surfactant and Amphoteric Surfactant

The surface tension of the mixed system of linear alkylated diphenylmethane sulfonate and amphoteric surfactant didodecylmethylcarboxyl betaine along with their different combinations has been investigated in 0.1 M salt solutions at 313 K. The surface chemical parameters of the mixture were also calculated. The results show that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and γCMC of the mixture are always lower than those of the individual surfactants, which indicates synergistic effects between the surfactant molecules. The interfacial tension of the Chinese Shengli crude oil and the connate water can be reduced to 5 × 10−3 mN · m−1 at 70°C with the mixture of alkylated diphenylmethane sulfonate and didodecylmethylcarboxyl betaine.

Core Freezing and Size Segregation in Surfactant Core-Shell Micelles

Nonionic surfactants containing poly(ethylene oxide) are chemically simple and biocompatible and form core-shell micelles at a wide range of conditions. For those reasons, they and their aggregates have been widely investigated. Recently, irregularities that were observed in the low-temperature behavior of surfactants of the kind [CH3(CH2)(n)O(CH2CH2O)(m)H], (abbreviated CnEm) were assigned to a freezing-melting phase transition in the micellar core. In this work we expand the focus from the case of single component systems to binary surfactant systems at temperatures between 1 and 15 °C. By applying small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and density measurements in pure C18E20 and C18E100 solutions and their mixtures, we show that core freezing/melting is also present in mixtures. Additionally, comparing SAXS data obtained from the mixture with those from the single components, it was possible to demonstrate that the phase transition leads to a reversible segregation of the surfactants from mixed micelles to distinct kinds of micelles of the two components.

Effect of Polymethylene Spacer of Cationic Gemini Surfactants on Solvation Dynamics and Rotational Relaxation of Coumarin 153 in Aqueous Micelles

The present work demonstrates the solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 (C-153) in the micelles of a series of cationic gemini surfactants, 12-s-12, 2Br(-) containing a hydrophobic polymethylene spacer with s = 3, 4, 6, 8, 12. Steady-state and time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) fluorescence spectroscopic techniques have been used to carry out this study. Steady-state and TCSPC fluorescence data suggest that C-153 molecules are located at the Stern layer of micelles. While probe molecules feel more or less the same micropolarity in the micellar phase, the microviscosity of micelles decreases with spacer chain length. Solvation dynamics at the Stern layer is bimodal in nature with fast solvation as a major component. Counter ions and water molecules bonded with the polar headgroups of surfactant molecules are responsible for the slow component. Average solvation time increases with spacer chain length because of the increased degree of counter ion dissociation. Some water molecules are involved in the solvation of counter ions themselves, resulting in the decrease in "free" water molecules to be available for the solvation of C-153. The hydrophobic spacer chain also has an effect on increasing the solvation time with increasing chain length. The average rotational relaxation time for C-153 decreases with spacer chain length with a rapid decrease at s > 4. The anisotropy decay of C-153 in micelles is biexponential in nature. The slow rotational relaxation is due to the lateral diffusion of C-153 in micelles. Lateral diffusion is much faster than the rotational motion of a micelle as a whole. The rotational motion of the micelle as a whole becomes faster with the decreasing size of micelles.

Properties of Binary Surfactant Systems of a Cationic Ester-Containing Gemini Surfactant with Some Conventional Surfactants in Aqueous Solutions

Gemini surfactant, N,N′-bis(dimethyl ethyl dodecane)ethyl ether dibromide was synthesized and symbolized as II-12-EO2. The surface chemical properties and micelle behaviors of II-12-EO2 with poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) lauryl ether (C12E6) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were investigated in 0.1 mol · L−1 sodium bromide aqueous solution at 313 K using surface tension measurements and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of II-12-EO2 is 1.99 × 10−4 mol · L−1 and the aggregation number is 23. The cmc values of the two binary systems with different molar fractions are all lower than those of pure constituent surfactants, and the aggregation numbers of the binary systems are all larger than that of II-12-EO2. The interaction parameters β of the two binary systems were calculated, and the negative values of β indicate the existence of synergism in surface tension reduction efficiency, mixed micelle formation and surface tension reduction effectiveness.

Research of Surface Chemical Properties and Micellization Behavior of Sodium N-Lauroylglycine

Amphoteric surfactant, sodium N-lauroylglycine, was synthesized and symbolized as SLG. The surface chemical properties and micelle behaviors of SLG in 0–0.5 mol · L−1 aqueous solution of sodium chloride were investigated by surface tension measurements at 298–313 K. The critical micelle concentrations (cmc) of pure surfactant were determined in 0–0.5 mol · L−1 sodium chloride aqueous solution. Fluorescence and micelle aggregation number (N agg) measurements have been used to investigate the variations of micro-polarity and micellization behavior. The added NaCl has a tendency to increase the attractive interaction between the surfactant molecules in both the micellar phase and the adsorption layer. The Gibbs free energy of micellization (ΔG m 0 ) is negative for all investigated systems, and the thermodynamic parameters of SLG indicate that the micellization of SLG is entropy driven.

Properties of Binary Surfactant System of Alkyl Polyglycosides and α-Sulphonated Fatty Acid Methyl Ester

Surface tension, fluorescence, zeta potential, dynamic light scattering and viscosity measurements have been used to investigate the properties of binary surfactant system of alkyl polyglycosides (APG) and α-sulphonated fatty acid methyl ester (MES). Through surface tension measurements, critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the mixture for different mixing mole fractions is determined and the values are all lower than those of pure constituent surfactants. Ideal CMC, molecule interaction parameters β and B have been calculated, and all these parameters indicate nonideal behavior and attractive interactions between the surfactant molecules. The micelle aggregation numbers (Nagg ) and the zeta potential (ζ) values of the binary surfactant system fall between those of constituent surfactants. The hydrodynamic radius (Rh ) of mixed micelle first increases and then decreases with the addition of MES. All these results show that nonionic surfactants facilitate the formation of larger micelles. The viscosities (η) of the mixtures are all lower than those of the pure component surfactants and with the addition of sodium chloride, the viscosity of mixture first increases rapidly and then decreases.

Interaction between Zwitterionic Surfactants and Amphiphilic Drug: A Tensiometric Study

The physicochemical properties, viz, critical micelle concentration (cmc), surface excess concentration (Γ max), minimum area per head group (A min) of zwitterionic surfactants (designated as n(−)-2-m(+); n = 8, 10, 12 and m = 12, 14, 16) and their mixtures with amphiphilic antidepressant drug amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT) were determined by using surface tension measurements. The cmc and ideal cmc (cmcid) values along with interaction parameters, β m and β σ (calculated using Rubingh's and Rosen's models), suggest attractive interactions among the components. The Krafft temperature measurements also indicate strong attractive interactions. Γ max (or A min) increases (or decreases) with the addition of gemini surfactant; the values being closer to that of the drug. These values and micellar mole fraction (X1 m-calculated from Rubingh's model and X 1 Moto-calculated from Motomura's model) indicate larger contribution of gemini surfactants in mixed micelles and smaller contribution at air/solution interface (as mole fraction values at interface, X 1 σ , are slightly smaller than X 1 m). The standard Gibbs energy of micellization (Δ G micº) and adsorption (Δ G adº) as well as excess energy of mixing (Δ G ex m) are all negative. All these results suggest higher stability of the mixed systems. UV absorbance results also suggest that the mixed micelles are stable for several days.

Enhanced aqueous solubility of naphthalene and pyrene by binary and ternary Gemini cationic and conventional nonionic surfactants

A systematic study has been carried out to get insight into the micellar behavior of Gemini cationic and conventional nonionic in their single as well as equimolar bi and ternary mixed state using the technique of tensiometry. The models proposed by Clint, Rubingh and Motomura et al. have been employed to interpret the formation of mixed micelles and find out synergism. The obtained experimental CMCs are lower than the ideal CMCs, indicating negative deviation from ideal behavior for all multi-component mixed micelles formation. The solubilization capacities of selected equimolar bi and ternary surfactant systems towards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene and pyrene, have been evaluated from measurements of the molar solubilization ratio (MSR), the micelle-water partition coefficient (K(m)), the deviation ratio (R) and the free energy of solubilization (ΔG(s)(0)) of PAHs. The results show that the solubility of naphthalene and pyrene over that in water in case of Gemini cationic surfactant is dramatically enhanced by adding equimolar nonionic surfactant in both bi and ternary mixed surfactant systems. The studied equimolar ternary surfactant system shows higher solubilizing efficiency than Gemini cationic binary system but lower than their cationic-nonionic counterpart. In addition, the solubilizing power of multi-component mixed surfactants towards naphthalene and pyrene increases with increasing logK(ow) of PAHs. Certainly, the solubilization abilities of the selected surfactants not only depend on their structure and mixing effect but also associate with solubilizing microenvironment and chemical nature of organic solutes.

Photo-Fenton degradation of non-ionic surfactant and its mixture with cationic or anionic surfactant

The oxidative degradation of non-ionic surfactants by the photo-Fenton process has been examined. The photo-Fenton degradation kinetics of mixtures of non-ionic surfactant and other type surfactants has been also investigated since mixtures of non-ionic and ionic surfactants are commonly used to utilize their synergistic effects in many practices. Effects of operating parameters such as dosages of Fenton reagents (iron and hydrogen peroxide) and UV light intensity on the degradation of commercial non-ionic surfactant Sannonic SS-90 (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether) were studied. Although the dosages of the Fenton reagents increased the degradation rate up to the optimum dosages, further addition of the reagents could not enhance the degradation rate. Excess dosages of Fe and H(2)O(2) caused excess OH radicals which could be a scavenger of OH radicals and as a result could not enhance the degradation of the surfactant. The increase in UV light intensity resulting in the faster photo-Fenton process or the enhancement of OH radical formation rate led to the increase in degradation rate of non-ionic surfactant. Although the existence of the anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate) would inhibit the degradation of the non-ionic surfactant due to the formation of complex with Fe ion, the existence of cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) affected insignificantly the photo-Fenton degradation process of the non-ionic surfactant.