V. K. Aswal

Structure and properties of two component hydrogels comprising lithocholic acid and organic amines

We demonstrate the aptitude of supramolecular hydrogel formation using simple bile acid such as lithocholic acid in aqueous solution in the presence of various dimeric or oligomeric amines. By variation of the choice of the amines in such mixtures the gelation properties could be modulated. However, the replacement of lithocholic acid (LCA) by cholic acid or deoxycholic acid resulted in no hydrogel formation. FT-IR studies confirm that the carboxylate and ammonium residues of the two components are involved in the salt (ion-pair) formation. This promotes further assembly of the components reinforced by a continuous hydrogen bonded network leading to gelation. Electron microscopy shows the morphology of the internal organization of gels of two component systems which also depends significantly on the amine part. Variation of the amine component from the simple 1,2-ethanediamine (EDA) to oligomeric amines in such gels of lithocholic acid changes the morphology of the assembly from long one-dimensional nanotubes to three-dimensional complex structures. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis with one of the amine-LCA complexes suggested the motif of fiber formation where the amines interact with the carboxylate and hydroxyl moieties through electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonding. From small angle neutron scattering study, it becomes clear that the weak gel from LCA-EDA shows scattering oscillation due to the presence of non-interacting nanotubules while for gels of LCA with oligomeric amines the individual fibers come together to form complex three-dimensional organizations of higher length scale. The rheological properties of this class of two component system provide clear evidence that the flow behavior can be modulated varying the acid-amine ratio.

Salt induced micellization and micelle structures of' PEO/PPO/PEO block copolymers in aqueous solution

Abstract Aqueous micellar solutions of two moderately hydrophilic polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide/polyethylene oxide (PEO/PPO/PEO) triblock copolymers, pluronics P84 and P104 are examined by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), viscosity and cloud point measurements. Micellar structures of pluronic P84 in aqueous solution are determined as a function of its concentrations (5 and 10 wt%) and added KCl concentrations (0–2 M). 5 wt% solutions of both the block copolymers contain spherical micelles with hydrophobic core of PPO and corona of highly hydrated ethylene oxide subchains. The presence of added neutral salt favors micellization at markedly lower concentration/temperature unlike conventional surfactants. The addition of the salt causes dehydration of ethylene oxide units from hydrated PEO shell from the side of PPO core, leading to an increase in core radius (RC) of spherical micelles. Micellar volume fraction (φ) increases with pluronic concentrations. It however increases at lower salt concentrations (up to 0.5 M) but is found to be independent at higher salt concentrations. Aggregation number (Nag) of P84 in aqueous salt solutions increases from 72 in water to 141 in 2 M KCl. No growth of spherical micelles is observed in unimer-to-micelle transition region and at temperatures below 20–22°C to its cloud point (CP) as hard sphere remains almost constant (Rhs∼70–74 A) with increasing salt concentration. Micelles remain spherical throughout the KCl concentration range studied.

Tween 80-sodium deoxycholate mixed micelles: structural characterization and application in doxorubicin delivery.

The objective of the present investigation is to develop and characterize anionic mixed micelles of two biocompatible surfactants, Tween 80 (T-80) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), and evaluate their potential in the delivery of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), a cationic anticancer drug. The mixed micelles were characterized for their microstructure, intermicellar interactions, and doxorubicin binding ability by dynamic light scattering, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), viscosity, and optical absorption measurements. Salt-induced growth of the mixed micelles at different compositions suggests that both electrostatic interaction of the anionic bile salts and steric repulsion of the ethylene oxide groups in nonionic components are affected by the presence of electrolytes. Addition of bile salt molecules to T-80 micelles suppresses the salt-induced growth of nonionic T-80 micelles. SANS studies indicate that bile salt micelles are prolate ellipsoidal in shape, and the addition of T-80 transforms them toward a spherical shape. The anionic bile salt can successfully bind to the cationic drug doxorubicin. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies in various cancer cell lines revealed that DOX-loaded micelles have greater in vitro anticancer activity as compared to DOX solution, indicating their potential in pharmaceutical applications.

Viscoelastic micellar water/CTAB/NaNO3 solutions: Rheology, SANS and cryo-TEM analysis

Aqueous micellar solutions of the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium nitrate (NaNO(3)) were examined using steady and dynamic rheology, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Upon addition of NaNO(3), the CTAB spherical micelles transform into long, flexible wormlike micelles, conveying viscoelastic properties to the solutions. The zero-shear viscosity (eta(0)) versus NaNO(3) concentration curve exhibits a well-defined maximum. Likewise, upon increase in temperature, the viscosity decreases. Dynamic rheological data of the entangled micellar solutions can be well described by the Maxwell model. Changes in the structural parameters of the micelles with addition of NaNO(3) were inferred from SANS measurements. The intensity of scattered neutrons at the low q region was found to increase with increasing NaNO(3) concentration. This suggests an increase in size of the micelles and/or decrease of intermicellar interactions with increasing salt concentration. Analysis of the SANS data using prolate ellipsoidal structure and Yukawa form of interaction potential between micelles indicates that addition of NaNO(3) leads to a decrease in the surface charge of the ellipsoidal micelles and consequently an increase in their length. The structural transition from spherical to entangled threadlike micelles, induced by the addition of NaNO(3) to CTAB micelles is further confirmed by cryo-TEM.

Lecithin-Based Novel Cationic Nanocarriers (Leciplex) II: Improving Therapeutic Efficacy of Quercetin on Oral Administration†

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate ability of the novel self-assembled phospholipid- based cationic nanocarriers (LeciPlex) in improving the therapeutic efficacy of a poorly water-soluble natural polyphenolic agent, quercetin (QR), on oral administration. Quercetin loaded LeciPlex (QR-LeciPlex) were successfully fabricated using a biocompatible solvent Transcutol HP. The QR-LeciPlex were characterized for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, and particle morphology by cryo-TEM. UV and fluorescence spectral characterization was carried out to find out the association of QR with LeciPlex. Small angle neutron scattering studies (SANS) were carried out to understand the internal structure of Leciplex and to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of QR in the LeciPlex. Anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic activity of QR-LeciPlex was determined in comparison to QR suspension to evaluate the potential of LeciPlex in improving oral delivery of QR. QR-LeciPlex exhibited a particle size of ∼400 nm and had excellent colloidal stability. The QR-LeciPlex had a zeta potential greater than +30 mV and exhibited very high encapsulation efficiency of QR (>90%). UV and fluorescence spectral characterization indicated the interaction/association of QR with LeciPlex components. Cryo-TEM studies showed that LeciPlex and QR-LeciPlex have a unilamellar structure. SANS confirmed the unilamellar structure of LeciPlex and indicated that the incorporation of QR does not have any effect on the internal structure of the LeciPlex. QR-LeciPlex exhibited significantly higher anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic activity (p < 0.01) as compared to that of QR suspension on oral administration.

pH-Responsive self-assembly in an aqueous mixture of surfactant and hydrophobic amino acid mimic

The pH-responsive behavior of an amino acid is used to control the electrostatic interactions on a cationic micelle surface and thereby alter the morphology of self-assembled structures formed by them. The pH-induced changes in the rheology and microstructure in an aqueous mixture of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and a hydrophobic amino acid mimic, anthranilic acid (AA) were studied by rheological measurements, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and light scattering. At low pH, when the net charge on the amino acid is positive, nearly globular mixed micelles are formed. With increase in pH, the AA becomes negatively charged due to the dissociation of carboxyl group and complexes with the positively charged CTAB molecule. This electrostatic complexation decreases the surface charge of the micelles, leading to a structural evolution from small globular micelles to long worm-like assemblies. Rheological studies indicate a transition from Newtonian to viscoelastic nature of the fluid with an increase in the pH of the solution. SANS studies confirm the formation of prolate ellipsoidal micelles and the axial ratio of the micelle increases with an increase in pH of the solution. The variation in the diffusion coefficient of the micelles with pH is consistent with the SANS results. This demonstrates the use of hydrophobic amino acids in creating pH-sensitive assemblies of amphiphiles. An increase in the zero shear viscosity of the fluid of four orders of magnitude could be achieved by a slight change in the pH of the solution.

Molecular Modulation of Surfactant Aggregation in Water: Effect of the Incorporation of Multiple Headgroups on Micellar Properties

Surfactant molecules self-organize in water,[1] often producing nearly spherical aggregates called micelles in dilute solutions, and lyotropic mesophases at higher concentrations. The polar headgroups of these aggregates lie near the bulk aqueous phase, whereas the hydrocarbon chains extend inwardly to avoid unfavorable water contacts.

A new periodic mesoporous organosilica containing diimine-phloroglucinol, Pd(II)-grafting and its excellent catalytic activity and trans-selectivity in C–C coupling reactions

A new organosilane precursor has been designed via Vilsmeier–Haack formylation of phloroglucinol followed by its Schiff base condensation with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES). A novel organic–inorganic hybrid periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) LHMS-3 containing the highly coordinating bis(propyliminomethyl)-phloroglucinol moiety inside the pore wall has been synthesized by using this precursor organosilane molecule. Phenolic-OH and imine-N donor sites present in this PMO material have been utilized to anchor Pd(II) species at the surface of the mesopores. Small angle neutron scattering, XRD, HR TEM, SEM, 13C and 29Si solid state MAS NMR, UV-vis and FT IR spectroscopic tools are utilized to characterize the 2D-hexagonal mesophase and the presence of the bis(propyliminomethyl)-phloroglucinol moiety inside the pore wall. This Pd-anchored material Pd-LHMS-3 showed excellent catalytic activity and trans-selectivity in Heck C–C bond formation reactions for the synthesis of a series of value-added aromatic and aliphatic olefins.

Aggregation behavior of pyridinium based ionic liquids in water--surface tension, 1H NMR chemical shifts, SANS and SAXS measurements.

The aggregation behavior of short alkyl chain ionic liquids (ILs), namely 1-butyl, or 1-hexyl or 1-octylpyridinium and 1-octyl-2-, or -3-, or -4-methylpyridinium chlorides, in water has been assessed using surface tension, electrical conductance, (1)H NMR, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. Critical aggregation concentrations (CACs), adsorption (at air/water interface) and thermodynamic parameters of aggregation have been reported. The values of CAC and area per adsorbed molecule decrease with the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The aggregation process is driven by both favorable enthalpy and entropy contributions. An attempt was made to examine the morphological features of the aggregates in water using SANS and SAXS methods. SANS and SAXS curves displayed diffuse structural peaks that could not be model fitted, and therefore, we calculated the mean aggregation numbers from the Q(max) assuming that IL molecules typically order into cubic type clusters.

Nanostructure to Microstructure Self-Assembly of Aliphatic Polyurethanes: The Effect on Mechanical Properties

We report the step by step self-assembly from nanostructure to microstructure (bottom-up approach through X-ray diffraction (1.6 nm), small angle neutron scattering (SANS) (11.6 nm), atomic force microscopy (70 nm smaller crystallite from enlarged image and 450 nm greater crystallites), and polarizing optical microscope (2 microm)) of aliphatic polyurethanes (PU) in contrast to aromatic polyurethanes depending on hard segment content (HSC). Polyurethanes of 10 to 80% HSC have been synthesized by using appropriate amount of polyol and chain extender. The effect of self-assembled patterns on mechanical properties both in solid and liquid state has been established exhibiting structure-property relationship of supramolecular polyurethanes. The crystallinity enhances but the degradation temperature decreases with increasing HSC. The characteristic length (measure of gap between lamellar crystallites), as revealed from SANS, gradually decreases with increasing HSC suggesting compactness of the crystallites through extensive hydrogen bonding. The Youngs modulus increases with increasing HSC with a percolation threshold of hard segment (50%) while the toughness improves up to 30% HSC followed by gradual decrease in presence of bigger crystallites which promote brittle fracture. The origin of self-assembly in aliphatic PUs has been demonstrated through electronic structure calculations to form a loop structure with minimum intermolecular distance (2.2 A) while that distance is quite large in aromatic polyurethanes (4.6 A) that cannot form hydrogen bonds. The unique splintering of domain structure and its subsequent reformation under dynamic shear experiment has been established.