Contact
    Start Publications Spontaneous formation of unilamellar vesicles based on the ...
    ←  Publication Finder
    Attension

    Spontaneous formation of unilamellar vesicles based on the surfactant 1-methylimidazolium bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate, evaluated as a function of pH and in saline solution

    Year: 2020

    Journal: Colloid Surf. A-Physicochem. Eng. Asp., Volume 606, DEC 5

    Authors: Andrada, Heber E.; Fernando Silva, O.; Morales, Gustavo M.; Mariano Correa, N.; Dario Falcone, R.

    Organizations: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y TecnicasConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET) [PIP CONICET 112-2015-0100283]; Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto [PPI-UNRC 2016-2019]; Agencia Nacional de Promocion Cientifica y TecnicaANPCyT [PICT 2012-0232, PICT 2012-0526, PICT 2015-0585, PICT 2018-0508]; Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia, Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba (PID); CONICETConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET)

    Keywords: imim-DEHP; Vesicle; Surface tension; DLS; AFM

    In this work, we report the formation of unilamellar vesicles in water based on the protic ionic liquid-surfactant 1-methylimidazolium bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (imim-DEHP) explored under different experimental conditions (surfactant concentration, pH and ionic strength). Surface tension measurements were made depending on the surfactant concentration at different pHs and in saline solution. The size of the vesicles was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and images of the systems were obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results showed that the surfactant self-assembled forming spontaneously vesicles at different pHs (from 2-8) and in saline solution. The vesicle formation, especially at pH >= 4, is independent of the imim-DEHP concentration and the ionic strength of the medium used, which demonstrates great stability in the systems formed. When the pH is lower than the pK(a) of the polar head group, the surfactant produces very large poly-disperse aggregates, which is due to an agglomeration of smaller vesicles. Very interesting is that the dependence of the vesicle size with the pH value is reversible therefore, this system could be used as drug delivery under different conditions. In addition to this, imim-DEHP vesicles were coated with chitosan to improve bio-compatibility and avoid possible effects of cytotoxicity of these systems. In summary, imim-DEHP is a promising surfactant to be used in biological applications, for example as a nanocarrier for the incorporation of bioactive compounds into living organisms.
    View publication