Rheology and microstructure of thermoresponsive composite gels of hematite pseudocubes and Pluronic F127

Stimuli-responsive materials or smart materials are designed materials whose properties can be changed significantly by applying external stimuli, such as stress, electric or magnetic fields, light, temperature, and pH. We report the linear and nonlinear rheological properties of thermoresponsive composite gels based on submicron-sized hematite pseudocube-shaped particles and a triblock copolymer Pluronic F127 (PF127). These novel composites form hard gels at an elevated temperature of 37 °C. For certain concentrations (<20 w/v. %) of hematite pseudocubes in 17.5 w/v. % of PF127, the gel strength is enhanced and the brittleness of the gels decreases. Higher concentrations (>20 w/v. %) of hematite pseudocubes in PF127 result in weaker and fragile gels. We develop an extensive rheological fingerprint using linear and nonlinear rheological studies. Adsorption of PF127 copolymer molecules on the hematite cube surfaces would further assist the formation of particle clusters along with magnetic interactions to be held effectively in the PF127 micellar network at elevated temperatures. The microscopic structure of these composite gels is visualized through a confocal microscope. Our experiments show that addition of hematite cubes up to 20 w/v. % does not change the rapid thermal gelation of PF127 solutions; hence, the hematite-PF127 composite, which transforms into a hard gel near human body temperature of 37 °C, could be suitable for use in smart drug delivery systems.

Ubiquity of complex coacervation of DNA and proteins in aqueous solution

We report complex coacervation between a primarily hydrophobic protein, elastin, and a strong polyanion DNA (2 kbp) in aqueous and salty solutions at room temperature, 25 °C. The associative interaction at fixed elastin and varying DNA concentration, thereby maintaining a mixing ratio of r = [DNA] : [elastin] = 0.0027 to 0.093, was probed. What distinguishes this study from protein-DNA coacervation reported earlier is that the protein used here was mostly a hydrophobic polyampholyte with low linear charge density, and its complementary polyelectrolyte, DNA, concentration was chosen to be extremely small (1-35 ppm). The interaction profile was found to be strongly hierarchical in the mixing ratio, defined by three distinct regions: (i) Region I (r < 0.02) was defined as the onset of primary binding leading to condensation of DNA; (ii) Region II (0.02 < r < 0.08) indicated secondary binding which led to the formation of fully charge neutralized complexes signaling the onset of coacervation; and (iii) Region III (0.08 < r < 0.12) revealed growth of insoluble complexes of large size facilitating liquid-solid phase separation. The degree of complex coacervation was suppressed in the presence of a monovalent salt implying that screened Coulomb interactions governed the binding. Small angle neutron scattering data attributed an amorphous structure to the coacervates. The elastin-DNA system belongs to a rare class of interacting biopolymers where very weak electrostatic interactions may drive coacervation, thereby implying that coacervation between DNA and proteins may be ubiquitous.

Boron-doped carbon quantum dots: a 'turn-off' fluorescent probe for dopamine detection

Boron-doped carbon quantum dots (size 2.3 nm) were fabricated by a modified hydrothermal carbonization one-pot synthesis protocol using 4-hydroxy phenylboronic acid as the common precursor that provided seed for the formation of carbon quantum dots as well as the dopant. These quantum dots exhibited excellent properties, namely good aqueous dispersion, strong fluorescence emission, good environmental stability, high selectivity and sensitivity towards the neurochemical dopamine even in the absence of any linker, functionalizing agents or enzyme. It is shown that this material can be used as a 'turn-off' fluorescent probe for the detection of even low concentrations of dopamine with a limit of detection (3σ/S) of about 6 μM. The simplicity of the synthesis protocol and the ease of dopamine detection define the novelty of this approach.

Multifunctional, fluorescent DNA-derived carbon dots for biomedical applications: bioimaging, luminescent DNA hydrogels, and dopamine detection

Here, we describe the synthesis of 2-3 nm, hydrophilic, blue fluorescence-emitting carbon dots (C-Dots, made using a DNA precursor) by the hydrothermal route from the gelling concentration of 2% (w/v) DNA. These dots exhibited highly efficient internalization in pathogenic fungal cells, negligible cytotoxicity, good PL stability, and high biocompatibility, thus demonstrating their potential as nanotrackers in microbial studies. Bioimaging was performed using Candida albicans as the representative for microbial pathogens. The novelty of these dots is that they formed fluorescent nanocomposite hydrogels with the same DNA much below the gelation concentration (1% w/v) and the tunable gels possessed strength between 20 and 80 Pa with the corresponding gelation temperature T_gel between 40 to 50 °C. The network density and gelation free energy data supported the superior crosslinking ability of these dots. The as-prepared hydrogels can replace the existing toxic quantum dot-based hydrogels for drug delivery. We also demonstrated the use of a DNA hydrogel-fabricated working electrode (DNA-C-Dot/ITO electrode) for the biosensing of dopamine. Our electrochemical biosensor had a detection limit of 5 × 10^-3 mM for dopamine. These multifunctional, fluorescent C-Dots and hydrogel after suitable conjugation or loading with molecules and drugs hold promising potential for further exploitation in bioimaging, targeted drug delivery, wound healing, and biosensing applications.

Hierarchical self-assembly, spongy architecture, liquid crystalline behaviour and phase diagram of Laponite nanoplatelets in alcohol-water binary solvents

Hydrophobicity and solvation of different charged species are among the various key factors that regulate the self-assembly of colloids, and macromolecules in their suspensions. In this paper, we demonstrate a method to tune the interaction potential and the resulting phase behaviour and microstructure of the states that form by using a combination of Laponite nanoplatelets and alcohols in water. This allows us to exquisitely control the self-assembly process of Laponite nanoplatelets. A new class of soft materials, called nanoclay-organogels, is studied systematically for their aging behaviour, microscopic structure and mechanical properties. Real space imaging techniques depicted spongy architecture with nano and micron size pores inside the gel matrix indicating the hierarchical self-assembly of the nanoplatelets in the aqueous solutions of polar organics. We have extensively examined the dispersion stability, aggregation, gelation and liquid crystalline behaviour of Laponite nanoplatelets in different alcohol (methanol, ethanol, 1-proponaol and ethylene glycol, and glycerol)-water binary solvents, thereby proposing a generalized description of nanoclay in alcoholic solutions, which is poorly probed and marginally understood in the literature. A phase diagram of Laponite® in alcohol solutions is proposed, which clearly demarcates regions of isotropic sol, unstable sol, isotropic gel, nematic/birefringent gel, glass, flocculated sedimentation and liquid crystalline structures.

Universal Validity of Einstein Relation and Size-Dependent Viscosity and Surface-Active Characteristics of Nanofluids

In this report, the general validity of the Einstein viscosity relation, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], ratio of solution to solvent viscosity), is examined in nanofluids where monodisperse spherical nanoparticles (polystyrene latex spheres) of size 50–400[Formula: see text]nm were dispersed in water at room temperature, 25[Formula: see text]C. In addition to viscosity, we also measured contact angle, [Formula: see text], and surface free-energy, [Formula: see text], as function of particle concentration and observed that the universal relation [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], remained valid, where [Formula: see text] may be relative viscosity, contact angle or surface free-energy and [Formula: see text] is a shape-dependent constant and is 2.5 in the Einstein limit. Thus, the Einstein relation has a wider validity than is generally thought encompassing both bulk and surface properties of nanofluids. Furthermore, we extend the study to establish an empirical relation between intrinsic viscosity [[Formula: see text]] and Huggins interaction parameter [Formula: see text], with particle size [Formula: see text], which obeyed: [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is in nm, [[Formula: see text]] is in cc/g, [Formula: see text] is in (g/cc)2 and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are constants of particle size. Identical expressions could be established for contact angle and surface free energy. These remarkable observations have not been reported hitherto.

Mixing ratio dependent complex coacervation versus bicontinuous gelation of pectin with in situ formed zein nanoparticles

We report on the competitive phenomenon of complex coacervation versus bicontinuous gelation between pectin (P, a polyanionic carbohydrate, [P] = 0.01-2% (w/v)) and zein nanoparticles (Z, a hydrophobic protein and a weak polyampholyte, [Z] = 0.1 and 0.5% (w/v), in an ethanolic solution of effective concentration 4 and 27% (v/v)), which was studied below (pH ≈ 4), and above (pH ≈ 7.4) the pI (≈ 6.2) of zein at room temperature, 25 °C. The uniqueness of this study arises from the interaction protocol used, where the pectin used was in the extended polyelectrolyte (persistence length ≈ 10 nm) conformation while zein was used as a charged globular nanoparticle (size ≈ 80-120 nm) that was formed in situ. Their mixing ratio, r = [P] : [Z] (w/w), was varied from 0.02 to 4.0 (for [Z] = 0.5% (w/v)), and from 0.1 to 7.5 (for [Z] = 0.1% (w/v)) in the ionic strength range 10-4 to 10-2 M NaCl. Zeta potential data revealed that at pH ≈ 4, the complementary binding condition, r = 1 : 1 (equivalent to 1 : 5 molecule/nanoparticle) demarcated the coacervate from the gel region. The measured rigidity (G0, low frequency storage modulus) of these materials revealed the following: for r < 1, (low pectin content samples, coacervate region) the material had lower values of Gcoac0, whereas for r > 1, an excess of pectin facilitated gelation with Ggel0 ≫ Gcoac0. Above pI, surface patch binding caused associative interactions and complex coacervation though both biopolymers had similar net charge. The network density was used as a descriptor to distinguish between the coacervate and gel samples. Their microstructures were probed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and viscoelastic properties by rheology. Simple modeling shows that formation of the interpolymer complex was favored in higher protein containing samples. Mixing ratio dependent selective coacervation (a kinetic process) and bicontinuous gelation (a thermodynamic process) are rarely seen to coexist in biopolymer interactions.

Bandgap Tunable AgInS based Quantum Dots for High Contrast Cell Imaging with Enhanced Photodynamic and Antifungal Applications

Herein, we report a facile microwave-assisted synthesis of cadmium-free water-soluble silver indium sulfide (AgInS2 or AIS) and AgInS@ZnS (or AIS@ZnS) core-shell quantum dots (QDs) using glutathione (GSH) as stabilizer. The core and core-shell nanocrystals exhibit tunable bandgap ranging of 2.3-3.1 and 2.4-3.5 eV, mean particle size of 2.5 and 3.25 nm, quantum yield of 26% and 49%, and fluorescence lifetimes of 326 and 438 ns, respectively. The core-shell QDs exhibit color-tunable emission in the visible region (500 to 600 nm), where the tunability was achieved by varying the molar ratio of Ag:In in the precursors. In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of these water/ buffer stable QDs against the fungal pathogen, Candida albicans demonstrated that these were not toxic to the fungal cells upto a concentration of 100 µg/ml for 16 hours of incubation. Confocal imaging and spectrofluorometric studies showed enhanced fluorescence inside the microbial cells suggesting that AIS@ZnS particles had the capability to easily penetrate the cells. The increased generation of reactive oxygen species was evaluated for the core-shell QDs (photosensitizers) by using 9, 10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonic acid (ABMDMA) as singlet oxygen (1O2) scavenger molecule. These QDs have the potential for use as high contrast cell imaging, photodynamic and antifungal agents.

In-situ Observation of Hierarchical Self-Assembly Driven by Bicontinuous Gelation in Mixed Nanodisc Dispersions

The search for new functional soft materials with precise and reconfigurable structures at the nano and meso-scale is a major challenge as well as objective of the current science. Patchy colloids of different shapes and functionalities are considered important new building blocks of a bottom-up approach towards rational design of new soft materials largely governed by anisotropic interactions. Herein, we investigate the self-assembly, growth of hierarchical microstructures and aging dynamics of 2D nano-platelets of two different aspect ratios (Laponite ~25 and Montmorillonite ~250) which form gels with different porosity that is achieved by tuning their mixing ratios. Qualitative in situ real-space studies are carried out, including fluorescent confocal microscopy imaging of the bicontinuous gelation process or final states, which provides dynamic visualization of the self-organization. The bicontinuous gels exhibit a foam-like morphology having pores of a few micrometers in size that can be tuned by varying the mixing ratio of nanoplatelets. It is shown that this new class of clay gels has unique and tunable physical properties that will find potential applications in the development of low cost lithium ion batteries, nanocomposites and nuclear waste management.

DNA ionogel: Structure and self-assembly

DNA dissolved in ionic liquid (IL) solution (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [C2mim][Cl]) showed a transition to the gel phase ([DNA] ≥ 1% (w/v)). The gelation time was 400 s for the 1% [IL] sample which reduced to 260 s for 5% [IL] concentration. Gelation times, obtained from the viscosity and ergodicity breaking from the dynamic structure factor data, were remarkably identical to each other. Correspondingly, the gelation temperature which was ∼60 °C increased to 67 °C with [IL] content. The small angle neutron scattering (SANS) structure factor profile revealed the presence of the following three distinct length scales: (a) mesh size, ξ ≈ 3 ± 0.5 nm for ionogels, and ≈0.73 ± 0.06 nm, for sol; (b) cross-sectional radius of DNA strand, R_c ≈ 1.6 ± 0.1 nm; and (c) the characteristic inter-cluster distance ≈33 ± 5 nm. Physical conformation of the DNA-IL complexes remained close to the Gaussian coil definition. It was observed that without IL, in the sol phase, the system was completely ergodic and did not gel, while on addition of IL a sudden transition to the non-ergodic (arrested) gel phase occurred. This was due to the formation of an amorphous network of DNA-IL complexes preceding gelation. In summary, it is shown that the DNA ionogels can be prepared with a tunable gel strength (27-70 Pa) and gelation temperature (60-67 °C). Further, the relaxation dynamics was found to be hierarchical in IL content of the gel, revealing considerable self-organization.

Antifungal efficacy of Au@ carbon dots nanoconjugates against opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans

In the current study, we have investigated the toxicological effect of a novel hydrophilic nanoconjugate gold@carbon dot (Au@CD) and carbon dots (CDs) on the opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. A homogenous experimental analysis was conducted for determining the toxicity of Au@CDs nanoconjugates of five different sizes ranging from 22 ± 2 to 35 ± 3 nm prepared using the carbon dots of mean hydrodynamic radius 12 ± 1 nm. The smallest size of nanoconjugate was synthesized using 0.3 mg ml^-1 HAuCl₄ precursor. Our study for the first time, conclusively establishes the size-dependent toxicity effect of these characterized nanoconjugates against the abovementioned fungal pathogen. The MIC₈₀ value of smaller sized Au@CDs nanoconjugates, S1-S3 samples were 250, 500 and 500 μg ml^-1, respectively, while nanoconjugates of R_h diameter greater than 30 nm (S4 and S5 samples) did not show any toxicity. The results thus demonstrate that alteration in composition (carbon vs Au@CDs) exhibits a profound effect on the susceptibility of Candida albicans cells. While a size-dependent toxicity was observed for the nanoconjugates, CDs were found to be quite toxic owing to their small size which facilitated their entry into the cells and challenged the biocompatibility of carbon allotropes.

Eco-friendly synthesis of CuInS2 and CuInS2@ZnS quantum dots and their effect on enzyme activity of lysozyme

We report on the green and facile aqueous microwave synthesis of glutathione (GSH) stabilized luminescent CuInS₂ (CIS, size = 2.9 nm) and CuInS₂@ZnS core–shell (CIS@ZnS, size = 3.5 nm) quantum dots (QDs). The core–shell nanostructures exhibited excellent photo- and water/buffer stability, a long photoluminescence (PL) lifetime (463 ns) and high PL quantum yield (PLQY = 26%). We have evaluated the comparative enzyme kinetics of these hydrophilic QDs by interacting them with the model enzyme lysozyme, which was probed by static and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. The quantification of the QD–lysozyme binding isotherm, exchange rate, and critical flocculation concentration was carried out. The core–shell QDs exhibited higher binding with lysozyme yielding a binding constant of K = 5.04 × 10⁹ L mol⁻¹ compared to the core-only structures (K = 6.16 × 10⁷ L mol⁻¹), and the main cause of binding was identified as being due to hydrophobic forces. In addition to the enzyme activity being dose dependent, it was also found that core–shell structures caused an enhancement in activity. Since binary QDs like CdSe also show a change in the lysozyme enzyme activity, therefore, a clear differential between binary and ternary QDs was required to be established which clearly revealed the relevance of surface chemistry on the QD–lysozyme interaction.

Eco-friendly synthesis of CIS and CIS@ZnS quantum dots was carried out, and their interaction with lysozyme revealed spontaneous and hydrophobic binding. Lysozyme helicity and enzymatic activity increased upon complexation.

Solvent hydrophobicity induced complex coacervation of dsDNA and in situ formed zein nanoparticles

Zein, a predominantly hydrophobic protein, was sustained as a stable dispersion in ethanol-water (80 : 20, % (v/v)) binary solvent at room temperature (25 °C). Addition of aqueous dsDNA solution (1% (w/v)) to the above dispersion prepared with the protein concentration of C_zein = 0.01-0.5% (w/v) caused a concomitant change in ethanol content from 14-35% (v/v), which in turn generated zein nanoparticles in situ of size 80-120 nm increasing with water content. The subsequent associative interaction between DNA (polyanion; 2000 bps) and the positively charged zein nanoparticles, (at pH = 4) was driven by Coulombic forces, and by the solvent hydrophobicity due to the ethanol content of the binary solvent. Experimentally, two interesting regions of interaction were observed from turbidity, zeta potential, particle sizing, and viscosity data: (i) for C_zein < 0.2% (w/v), zein nanoparticles of size 80 nm bind to dsDNA (primary complex) causing its condensation (apparent hydrodynamic size decreased from ≈2100 to 560 nm), and (ii) for 0.2% < C_zein < 0.5% (w/v) larger nanoparticles (>80 nm) were selectively bound to primary complexes to form partially charge neutralized interpolymer soluble complexes (secondary complexes), followed by complex coacervation. During this process, there was depletion of water in the vicinity of the nucleic acid, which was replaced by hydration provided by the ethanol-water binary solvent. Equilibrium coacervate samples were probed for their microstructure by small angle neutron scattering, and for their viscoelastic properties by rheology. The interplay of solvent hydrophobicity, electrostatic interaction, and zein nanoparticle size dependent charge neutralization had a commensurate effect on this hitherto unexplored coacervation phenomenon.

Hydrophobic hydration and anomalous diffusion of elastin in an ethanolic solution

Pictorial depiction of solvation of elastin molecule in aqueous and ethanol solutions. Polymer chain collapse in water and swelling in binary solvent.

Folic acid supramolecular ionogels

Herein, we report on folic acid (FA, a low molecular weight gelator) thermoreversible supramolecular organo (in 1 : 1 (v/v) water–DMSO binary solvent), and ionogels reported in 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride, [C2mim][Cl], and 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride, [C8mim][Cl], solutions with 0.1 ≤ [IL] ≤ 5% (w/v).

Hierarchical Internal Structures in Gelatin-Bovine Serum Albumin/β-Lactoglobulin Gels and Coacervates

Herein, we report the comparative study of gels and complex coacervates of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and beta-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) with gelatin close to their common pI. Surface patch binding produced a range of new soft matter phases (interpolymer complexes) such as opaque coacervates (charge neutralized complexes) and transparent gels (overcharged complexes). We emphasize on the comparative study of the microstructure of coacervates and gels formed at different mixing ratios using small angle scattering (SANS) data. It was found that phase states were entirely defined by the mixing ratio r = [GB]:[β-Lg or BSA]. Thermo-viscoelastic profiles of aforesaid samples revealed a smaller storage modulus and lower melting temperature for coacervates compared to gels. Thermally activated samples generated additional phases that were also probed by SANS and rheology. Thus, it is established that intermolecular association between globular proteins and a random coil polypeptide can generate various soft matter states that may facilitate harvesting of novel biomaterials.

Characterization of microstructure, viscoelasticity, heterogeneity and ergodicity in pectin-laponite-CTAB-calcium nanocomposite hydrogels

In order to customize the viscoelastic properties of pectin gels, it is necessary to work on a composite platform. Herein, the gelation kinetics, and viscoelastic characterization of anionic polysaccharide pectin dispersion prepared in presence of nanoclay laponite are reported using dynamic light scattering and rheology measurements. The ratio Rg/Rh (Rg and Rh are radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius respectively) determined from light scattering data revealed the presence of random coils of pectin chains inside the gel matrix. When nanoclay laponite was added to the pectin chains solution, two-phase separation was noticed instantaneously. Therefore, the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide [CTAB] was added to exfoliate the clay platelets in the dispersion, and also in its gel phase. The exfoliating agent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide ([CTAB]≈ cmc/10) helped to enhance the homogeneity and stability of the pectin-clay sols and gels. The storage and loss moduli (G' and G") of the composite gel changed significantly as function of nanoclay laponite content for concentration up to 0.03% (w/v) causing the softening of the gels (gel strength reduced by close to 50%) compared to pectin-calcium gel. However, as the concentration of nanoclay laponite was maintained between 0.01% and 0.03% (w/v), the gel rigidity (G') recovered by 30% (35-45 Pa). The transition from ergodic to non-ergodic state occurred during sol-gel transition owing to the presence of the nanoclay laponite. The gelation time was not too different from the ergodicity breaking time. Thus, the presence of nanoclay laponite in such minute concentration is shown to cause considerable change in the thermo-physical property of the composite gels. This material property modulation will facilitate designing of soft gels having storage modulus continuously varying in the wide range of 10-70 Pa while keeping the gelation temperature mostly unaltered.

Self-assembly of synthetic liposome-like curcumin nanoparticles

Self assembly of surfactant free liposome-like nanoparticle.

Size-dependent CdSe quantum dot–lysozyme interaction and effect on enzymatic activity

Size-dependent (2.5 and 6.3 nm) interaction of MPA modified hydrophilic CdSe quantum dots with lysozyme are reported.

Thermo-reversibility, ergodicity and surface charge–temperature dependent phase diagram of anionic, cationic and neutral co-gels of gelatin–BSA complexes

We have investigated the gelation behavior of polyampholyte gelatin B (GB) in the presence of colloidal plasma protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a function of mixing ratio (r = GB : BSA = 1.5–4), entire pH range, and temperature (20–45 °​C).

Comparative evaluation of enzyme-free nanoclay-ionic liquid based electrodes for detection of bioanalytes

Enzyme-free electrodes were fabricated using mixed nanoclays and ionic liquids.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulating horseradish peroxidase (HRP): synthesis, characterization and carrier for the generation of free radicals for potential applications in cancer therapy

We report synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulating HRP. The average diameter of the particles was around 20 nm. HRP has been used to convert IAA to a toxic oxidized product and its toxic effect has been seen on cancerous cell lines.

Surface patch binding induced interaction of anisotropic nanoclays with globular plasma proteins

Morphology dependent interaction of model anisotropic nanoparticles with globular plasma proteins.

Oxalic acid capped iron oxide nanorods as a sensing platform

A label free impedimetric immunosensor has been fabricated using protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) and monoclonal antibodies against Vibrio cholerae (Ab) functionalized oxalic acid (OA) capped iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanorods for V. cholerae detection. The structural and morphological studies of Fe3O4 and OA-Fe3O4, were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The average crystalline size of Fe3O4, OA-Fe3O4 nanorods were obtained as about 29±1 and 39±1nm, respectively. The hydrodynamic radius of nanorods is found as 116nm (OA-Fe3O4) and 77nm (Fe3O4) by DLS measurement. Cytotoxicity of Fe3O4 and OA-Fe3O4 nanorods has been investigated in the presence of human epithelial kidney (HEK) cell line 293 using MTT assay. The cell viability and proliferation studies reveal that the OA-Fe3O4 nanorods facilitate cell growth. The results of electrochemical response studies of the fabricated BSA/Ab/OA-Fe2O3/ITO immunosensor exhibits good linearity in the range of 12.5-500ng mL(-1) with low detection limit of 0.5ng mL(-1), sensitivity 0.1Ωng(-1)ml(-1)cm(-2) and reproducibility more than 11 times.

Biocompatible capped iron oxide nanoparticles for Vibrio cholerae detection

We report the studies relating to fabrication of an efficient immunosensor for Vibrio cholerae detection. Magnetite (iron oxide (Fe(3)O(4))) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by the co-precipitation method and capped by citric acid (CA). These NPs were electrophoretically deposited onto indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate and used for immobilization of monoclonal antibodies against Vibrio cholerae (Ab) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) for Vibrio cholerae detection using an electrochemical technique. The structural and morphological studies of Fe(3)O(4) and CA-Fe(3)O(4)/ITO were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The average crystalline size of Fe(3)O(4), CA-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles obtained were about 29 ± 1 nm and 37 ± 1 nm, respectively. The hydrodynamic radius of the nanoparticles was found to be 77.35 nm (Fe(3)O(4)) and 189.51 nm (CA-Fe(3)O(4)) by DLS measurement. The results of electrochemical response studies of the fabricated BSA/Ab/CA-Fe(2)O(3)/ITO immunosensor exhibits a good detection range of 12.5-500 ng mL(-1) with a low detection limit of 0.32 ng mL(-1), sensitivity 0.03 Ω/ng ml(-1) cm(-2), and reproducibility more than 11 times.

Interactions in globular proteins with polyampholyte: coacervation route for protein separation

Representative model of protein–protein separation in a BSA–GB–β-Lg aqueous solution.

Charge heterogeneity induced binding and phase stability in β-lacto-globulin–gelatin B gels and coacervates at their common pI

An understanding of the interactions between gelatin B (GB) and β-lacto-globulin (β-Lg) mainly arising from surface selective patch binding occurring at their common pI (≈5.0 ± 0.5) in the absence of added salt.

Hierarchical surface charge dependent phase states of gelatin-bovine serum albumin dispersions close to their common pI

We report interaction between bovine serum albumin ([BSA] = 1% (w/v)) and gelatin B ([GB] = 0.25-3.5% (w/v)) occurring close to their common isoelectric pH (pI). This interaction generated distinguishable multiple soft matter phases like opaque coacervates (phase I) and transparent gels (phase II), where the former are composed of partially charge neutralized intermolecular complexes (zeta potential, ζ ≤ 0) and the latter of overcharged complexes (ζ ≥ 0) that organized into a network pervading the entire sample volume. These phase states were completely governed by the protein mixing ratio r = [GB]:[BSA]. Coacervates, when heated above 32 °C, produced thermoirreversible turbid gels (phase III), stable in the region 32 ≥ T ≤ 50 °C. When the transparent gels were heated to T ≥ 34 °C, these turned into turbid solutions that did form a turbid fragile gel (phase IV) upon cooling. Mechanical and thermal behaviors of aforesaid coacervates (phase I) and gels (phase II) were examined; coacervates had lower storage modulus and melting temperature compared to gels. Cole-Cole plots attributed considerable heterogeneity to coacervate phase, but gels were relatively homogeneous. Raman spectroscopy data suggested differential microenvironment for these phases. Coacervates were mostly hydrated by partially structured water with degree of hydration dependent on gelatin concentration whereas for gels hydration was invariant of [GB]. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data gave static structure factor profiles, I(q), versus wavevector q, that were remarkably different. For transparent gels, data could be split into two distinct regions: (i) 0.01 < q < 0.1 Å(-1), I(q) = IOZ(0)/(1 + q(2)ζgel(2))(2) (Debye-Bueche function) with ζgel = 9-13 nm, and (ii) 0.1 < q < 0.35 Å(-1), I(q) = IOZ(0)/(1 + q(2)ξgel(2)) (Ornstein-Zernike function) with ξgel = 3.1 ± 0.6 nm. Similarly, for coacervate, the aforesaid two q-regions were described by (i) I(q) = IPL(0)q(-α) with α = 1.7 ± 0.1 and (ii) I(q) = IOZ(0)/(1 + q(2)ξcoac(2)) with ξcoac = 1.6 ± 0.2 nm, a value close to the persistence length of gelatin chain (lp ≈ 2 nm). Phase transition from one equilibrium state to another, i.e., phase I to II, was hierarchical in the charge state of the protein-protein complex. Within the same charge state, transition from phase I to III and from phase II to IV was thermally activated. The aforesaid mechanisms are captured in a unique ζ-T phase diagram.

Coexistence of iso-nonergodic laponite gel and glass in 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid solutions

We report unique colloidal gel-glass coexistence in aqueous laponite dispersion (2% w/v) in the presence of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid (IL, [C8mim][Cl], concentration 0.01 to 0.05% w/v), where both of the phases had identical nonergodicity and were dynamically interactive. With aging, the nascent heterogeneous dispersion exhibited spontaneous two-phase separation, and the time-dependent relative viscosity followed: η(r) = |ε|(-k) where ε = (t - t(g))/t(g) and t(g) is the time required for the system to get arrested, with k decreasing from 3.13 to 2.54 as the IL concentration was increased from 0 to 0.03% (w/v), implying slowing down of the arrest kinetics. This time was measured from viscosity and rheology studies, revealing the formation of IL-mediated finite size colloidal networks on a time scale of ~4 × 10(3) s, whereas the dispersion developed a large viscosity one decade in time later (~4 × 10(4) s). Homogeneous transparent upper phase was an entropic glass and exhibited substantial storage modulus gain (300-3000 Pa) with an increase in IL concentration (0 to 0.05% (w/v)). The translucent lower gel phase had a much higher storage modulus. Dynamic light scattering measured bimodal relaxation time of concentration fluctuations. The degree of nonergodicity in the two phases was approximately the same, implying laponite-IL cluster exchange across the interface (identical slow-mode diffusivity). In summary, IL-induced first-order phase separation in laponite dispersion produced a homogeneous colloidal gel coexisting with a glass not commonly observed in soft matter systems. This implied that the two phases were dynamically coupled on long time scales, whereas their short-time behavior was distinctively different.

Effect of solvent hydrophobicity on gelation kinetics and phase diagram of gelatin ionogels

We present a systematic investigation of the effect of solvent hydrophobicity (alkyl chain length) on the gelation kinetics and the phase states of the polypeptide gelatin in imidazolium based ionic liquid (IL) solutions. We have observed that IL concentration and hydrophobicity had dramatic influences on the thermal and viscoelastic properties of gelatin ionogels. Gelation concentration cg was observed to increase from 1.75 to 2.75% (w/v) while the gelation temperature Tg was found to decrease from 32 to 26 °C with increase in 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C8mim][Cl] (most hydrophobic) concentration as compared to the case of the least hydrophobic IL 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride [C2mim][Cl], where the corresponding changes were marginal. Gradual softening of the gel with increase in hydrophobicity and concentration of IL was clearly noticed. The viscosity of the gelling sol diverged as ηr ∼ ε(1)(-k) and storage modulus of gel grew as G0 ∼ ε(1)(t) where ε1 = |1 - c/cg| with the exponents having values k = 1.2-1.8 ± 0.08 and t = 1.2-1.6 ± 0.08, close to but not exactly the same as predicted by the percolation model: k = 0.7-1.3 and t = 1.9. Thus, the gelation kinetics involved in the growth of interconnected networks could be conceived to follow an anomalous percolation model. The temporal growth of self-assembled structures followed a power law dependence given by: ηr ∼ ε(2)(-α) and Rh ∼ ε(2)(-β) where ε(2) = t > tg (α = 1-2.9 ± 0.08 and β = 1-2.7 ± 0.08). The low frequency storage modulus G0, gelation temperature Tg, gelation concentration cg and gelation time tg adequately defined the sol-gel phase diagram. Results clearly revealed that by adjusting the hydrophobic chain length and concentration of IL it was possible to customize both thermal and mechanical properties of these ionogels to match specific application requirements.

Ergodic-to-nonergodic phase inversion and reentrant ergodicity transition in DNA-nanoclay dispersions

We have observed DNA concentration and hydration dependent inversion from ergodic to non-ergodic phase followed by reentry into the ergodic phase in DNA-nanoclay (laponite) dispersions at room temperature (25 °C), using results obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS) and rheology data. The interaction between the DNA strand and the anisotropically charged discotic platelets of laponite (L) was found to be strongly hierarchical in DNA concentration. For a fixed laponite concentration (CL = 1% (w/v)) and varying DNA concentration (CDNA) from 0.3-2.3% (w/v), we observed three distinct phase regions characterized by the following: region (i): CDNA < 1.0% (w/v), ergodic region with weak DNA-L attractive interaction, region (ii): 1.0% < CDNA < 1.6% (w/v), non-ergodic regime having strong DNA-L associative interaction and region (iii): CDNA > 1.6% (w/v), showing phase reentry into the ergodic regime due to repulsion between DNA strands. Hydration study in these three regions revealed that a loss in the abundance of amorphous water, signified by Raman frequency 3460 cm(-1), caused the ergodic to nonergodic phase transition. In summary, it is shown that maximum stability and interaction between DNA and nanoclay platelets occurred at an intermediate concentration of DNA where the hydration was at its minimum. The present system is qualitatively different from the hard-sphere/polymer systems for which reentrant phase transition has been reported in the literature. However, some similarity between the two classes of systems is not ruled out.

Overcharging, thermal, viscoelastic and hydration properties of DNA–gelatin complex coacervates: pharmaceutical and food industries

A schematic showing the coacervate matrix due to overcharge and the consequent inclusion of structured water inside the matrix.

Kinetics of anisotropic ordering in Laponite dispersions induced by a water-air interface

In this work, we report the kinetics of ordering occurring at the water-air interface of Laponite dispersions. Propagation of such ordering into the bulk and its relaxation dynamics were systematically studied through light scattering measurements. Depolarization ratio D(p), which accounted for the optical anisotropy, was measured as a function of depth from the interface and aging of the samples. The extent of spatial ordering was found to be several decades larger than the typical particle size. Spatial ordering originated from the interface and percolated into the bulk with aging time t(w). Growth in D(p) with waiting time was found to follow power-law behavior given as D(p)~t(w)(n), with n increasing from 0.1 to 4 as one moved away from the interface into the bulk. D(p) decreased exponentially with depth h given as D(p)~e(-(h/h(0))), where h(0) is the decay length, increasing from 0.4 to 0.75 mm with aging time. Dynamic structure factor measurements performed on the samples at various aging times, depths, and temperatures yielded two distinct relaxation times: one fast mode followed by a slow mode. The fast mode remained invariant while slow mode relaxation time followed an exponential decay with depth. This study indicated that the arrested phase nucleated from the interface and propagated into the bulk, which was not observed when the surface was insulated with a layer of hydrophobic liquid. Dilution of the concentrated samples destroyed the aforesaid ordering and made the dispersion homogeneous implying the ordered state was a glass.

Condensation, complex coacervation, and overcharging during DNA-gelatin interactions in aqueous solutions

Interaction between DNA (effective hydrodynamic radius, R(DNA) ≈ 140 nm) and Gelatin A (GA) (effective hydrodynamic radius, R(GA) ≈ 55 nm) with charge ratio (DNA:GA = 16:1) and persistence length ratio (5:1) was studied by using fixed DNA concentration (5 × 10(-3) % (w/v)) and varying GA concentration (C(GA) = 0-0.25% (w/v)). Experimentally, three interesting regions of interaction were observed from dynamic light scattering, turbidity, zeta potential, and viscosity data: (i) C(GA) < 0.05% (w/v), GA binds to DNA forming soluble complexes of size R(complex) ≈ 60 nm < R(DNA) (primary binding causing condensation); (ii) 0.05% < C(GA) < 0.1% (w/v), R(complex) ≈ 60 to 180 nm was observed up to charge-neutralization point (secondary binding); and (iii) C(GA) > 0.1% (w/v) showed interesting overcharging behavior of DNA-GA complexes, followed by liquid-liquid phase separation (complex coacervation). Aforesaid regions of interaction were further examined theoretically by modeling the problem using electrostatic and van der Waals interaction potentials treating GA molecules as counterions to DNA macroion. Region (i) was explained on the basis of electrostatic screening, followed by reduction in persistence length, which resulted in condensation of DNA-GA complex. In region (ii), the dominance of van der Waals forces led to the formation of large soluble complexes through selective binding. This was possible due to closer proximity between GA and DNA-GA complexes and the absence of strong electrostatic forces. In region (iii), these oversized and overcharged complexes coarsened, leading to complex coacervation. Here the interaction energy profile showed that a greater number of counterions was required over and above the usual charge neutralization requirement for low-energy configurations to be achieved.

Effect of water structure on gelation of agar in glycerol solutions and phase diagram of agar organogels

A comprehensive study of hydration of polyanionic agar molecules in its solution and gel phase in glycerol-water binary solvent is reported. Raman spectroscopy results predict differential water structure arrangement for glycerol-water binary solvent, 0.02% (w/v) agar in glycerol solution and 0.3% (w/v) agar organogel. The 3200 cm(-1) Raman band pertaining to ice-like structure of water was found to increase in gel phase alike in glycerol-water solvent while it decreased in agar solutions with increase in glycerol concentration. In contrast, the partially structured water corresponding to the component 3310 cm(-1) of Raman spectra increased in agar solution, and decreased in gel phase similar to glycerol-water solvent case. We have explained these observations based on a simple model where the available oxygen to hydrogen atom ratio in a given solvent-polymer system uniquely defines hydration in solution and gel phases. The gelation concentration was found to increase from 0.18 (for water) to 0.22% (w/v) (50% v/v glycerol solution) as the glycerol concentration was raised. Correspondingly, the gelation temperature, T(g), showed a decline from 40 to 20 °C, and the gel melting temperature, T(m), revealed a reduction from 81 to 65 °C in the same glycerol concentration regime. Two distinctive features are evident here: (i) presence of glycerol as a cosolvent does not favor the gelation of agar as compared to water and (ii) agar organogels are softer than their hydrogels. A unique 3D phase diagram for the agar organogel is proposed. Circular dichroism data confirmed that the agar molecules retained their biological activity in these solvents. Thus, it is shown that thermo-mechanical properties of these organogels could be systematically tuned and adapted as per application requirement.

Internal structures of agar-gelatin co-hydrogels by light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering and rheology

Internal structures of agar-gelatin co-hydrogels were investigated as a function of their volumetric mixing ratio, [Formula: see text] , 1.0 and 2.0 using dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and rheology. The degree of non-ergodicity ( X = 0.2 ± 0.02) , which was extracted as a heterodyne contribution from the measured dynamic structure factor data remained less than that of homogeneous solutions where ergodicity is expected (X = 10. The static structure factor, I(q) , results obtained from SANS were interpreted in the Guinier regime (low-q , which implied the existence of ≈ 250 nm long rod-like structures (double-helix bundles), and the power law (intermediate-q regions) yielded I (q) ~ q(−α) with α = 2.3 , 1.8 and 1.6 for r = 0.5 , 1.0 and 2.0. This is indicative of the presence of Gaussian chains at low r , while at r = 2 there was a propensity of rod-shaped structures. The gel strength and transition temperatures measured from frequency sweep and temperature ramp studies were suggestive of the presence of a stronger association between the two biopolymer networks at higher r . The results indicate that the internal structures of agar-gelatin co-hydrogels were highly dependent on the volumetric mixing ratio.