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Tavagnacco L, Zanatta M, Buratti E, Bertoldo M, Chiessi E, Appel M, Natali F, Orecchini A, Zaccarelli E. Water slowing down drives the occurrence of the low temperature dynamical transition in microgels. Chem Sci 2024; 15:9249-9257. [PMID: 38903230 PMCID: PMC11186305 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02650k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The protein dynamical transition marks an increase in atomic mobility and the onset of anharmonic motions at a critical temperature (T d), which is considered relevant for protein functionality. This phenomenon is ubiquitous, regardless of protein composition, structure and biological function and typically occurs at large protein content, to avoid water crystallization. Recently, a dynamical transition has also been reported in non-biological macromolecules, such as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels, bearing many similarities to proteins. While the generality of this phenomenon is well-established, the role of water in the transition remains a subject of debate. In this study, we use atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and elastic incoherent neutron scattering (EINS) experiments with selective deuteration to investigate the microscopic origin of the dynamical transition and distinguish water and PNIPAM roles. While a standard analysis of EINS experiments would suggest that the dynamical transition occurs in PNIPAM and water at a similar temperature, simulations reveal a different perspective, also qualitatively supported by experiments. From room temperature down to about 180 K, PNIPAM exhibits only modest changes of dynamics, while water, being mainly hydration water under the probed extreme confinement, significantly slows down and undergoes a mode-coupling transition from diffusive to activated. Our findings therefore challenge the traditional view of the dynamical transition, demonstrating that it occurs in proximity of the water mode-coupling transition, shedding light on the intricate interplay between polymer and water dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Tavagnacco
- CNR Institute of Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 00185 Rome Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Marco Zanatta
- Department of Physics, University of Trento Via Sommarive 14 38123 Trento Italy
| | - Elena Buratti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara Via L. Borsari 46 44121 Ferrara Italy
| | - Monica Bertoldo
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara Via L. Borsari 46 44121 Ferrara Italy
| | - Ester Chiessi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica I 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Markus Appel
- Institut Laue-Langevin 71 avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 France
| | - Francesca Natali
- CNR-IOM, Operative Group Grenoble (OGG), Institut Laue Langevin F-38042 Grenoble France
| | - Andrea Orecchini
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia Via Alessandro Pascoli 06123 Perugia Italy
- CNR-IOM c/o Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia Via Alessandro Pascoli 06123 Perugia Italy
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR Institute of Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 00185 Rome Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 00185 Rome Italy
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Vijayakumar B, Takatsuka M, Sasaki K, Kita R, Shinyashiki N, Yagihara S, Rathnasabapathy S. Dielectric relaxation of ice in a partially crystallized poly( N-isopropylacrylamide)microgel suspension compared to other partially crystalized polymer-water mixtures. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:22223-22231. [PMID: 37566434 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02116e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
A broadband dielectric spectroscopy study was conducted on a partially crystallized 10 wt% poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [PNIPAM] microgel aqueous suspension to investigate the dielectric relaxation of ice in microgel suspensions. The measurements covered a frequency range of 10 mHz to 10 MHz and at temperatures ranging from 123 K to 273 K. Two distinct relaxation processes were observed at specific frequencies below the melting temperature. One is associated with the combination of the local chain motion of PNIPAM and interfacial polarization in the uncrystallized phase, while another is associated with ice. To understand the temperature-dependent behaviour of the ice relaxation process, the relaxation time of ice was compared with those observed in other frozen polymer water mixtures, including gelatin, poly-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). For concentrations ≥ 10 wt%, the temperature dependence of the relaxation time of ice was found to be independent. Therefore, the study primarily focused on the 10 wt% data for easier comprehension of the ice relaxation process. It was found that the microgel and globular protein BSA had no significant effect on ice crystallization, while gelatin slowed down the crystallization process, and PVP accelerated it. To discuss the mechanism of the dielectric relaxation of ice, the trap-controlled proton transport model developed by Khamzin et al. [Chem. Phys., 2021, 541, 111040.] was employed. The model was used to discuss the dynamic heterogeneity of ice observed in this investigation, distinguishing it from the spatial heterogeneity of ice commonly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balachandar Vijayakumar
- Department of Physics, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-600119, India. drrskumar@
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-600119, India
| | - Masanobu Takatsuka
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Kaito Sasaki
- Department of Physics, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan.
- Micro/Nano Technology Centre, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Rio Kita
- Department of Physics, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan.
- Micro/Nano Technology Centre, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Naoki Shinyashiki
- Department of Physics, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan.
- Micro/Nano Technology Centre, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Shin Yagihara
- Department of Physics, Tokai University, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan.
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Bochenek S, Camerin F, Zaccarelli E, Maestro A, Schmidt MM, Richtering W, Scotti A. In-situ study of the impact of temperature and architecture on the interfacial structure of microgels. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3744. [PMID: 35768399 PMCID: PMC9243037 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31209-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural characterization of microgels at interfaces is fundamental to understand both their 2D phase behavior and their role as stabilizers that enable emulsions to be broken on demand. However, this characterization is usually limited by available experimental techniques, which do not allow a direct investigation at interfaces. To overcome this difficulty, here we employ neutron reflectometry, which allows us to probe the structure and responsiveness of the microgels in-situ at the air-water interface. We investigate two types of microgels with different cross-link density, thus having different softness and deformability, both below and above their volume phase transition temperature, by combining experiments with computer simulations of in silico synthesized microgels. We find that temperature only affects the portion of microgels in water, while the strongest effect of the microgels softness is observed in their ability to protrude into the air. In particular, standard microgels have an apparent contact angle of few degrees, while ultra-low cross-linked microgels form a flat polymeric layer with zero contact angle. Altogether, this study provides an in-depth microscopic description of how different microgel architectures affect their arrangements at interfaces, and will be the foundation for a better understanding of their phase behavior and assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Bochenek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Camerin
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy.,Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy.,Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Armando Maestro
- Institut Laue-Langevin ILL DS/LSS, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000, Grenoble, France.,Centro de Fısica de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU) - Materials Physics Center MPC, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, San Sebastián, Spain.,IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Maximilian M Schmidt
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Scotti
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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Rosi BP, D’Angelo A, Buratti E, Zanatta M, Tavagnacco L, Natali F, Zamponi M, Noferini D, Corezzi S, Zaccarelli E, Comez L, Sacchetti F, Paciaroni A, Petrillo C, Orecchini A. Impact of the Environment on the PNIPAM Dynamical Transition Probed by Elastic Neutron Scattering. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta P. Rosi
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Arianna D’Angelo
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 510 Rue André Rivière, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France
| | - Elena Buratti
- Dipartimento di Fisica, CNR-ISC c/o Università di Roma La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Zanatta
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento, via Sommarive 14, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Letizia Tavagnacco
- Dipartimento di Fisica, CNR-ISC c/o Università di Roma La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Natali
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France
- CNR-IOM, OGG, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France
| | - Michaela Zamponi
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Lichtenbergstrasse 1, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Daria Noferini
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Lichtenbergstrasse 1, 85747 Garching, Germany
- European Spallation Source ERIC, Box 176, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Silvia Corezzi
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, CNR-ISC c/o Università di Roma La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Lucia Comez
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, CNR-IOM c/o Università di Perugia, via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Sacchetti
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paciaroni
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Caterina Petrillo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Orecchini
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, Università di Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Geologia, CNR-IOM c/o Università di Perugia, via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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