The addition of cationic surfactants to an aqueous solution of an anionic polymer, carboxymethylcellulose (carboxyMC), causes the spontaneous formation of aggregates in a certain range of concentrations. Here we studied two surfactants, dodecyl and hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB and CTAB, respectively). Using different techniques (light scattering, potentiometry, viscosimetry, and zetametry), we found that a simple lengthening of the surfactant tail length by four CH2 groups drastically changes the aggregate morphology, size, and charge. We explored in detail how the surfactant and polymer concentrations act on these systems.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la7016177 | DOI Listing |
Carbohydr Polym
March 2025
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 15 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119276, Singapore; National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; National University of Singapore (Chongqing) Research Institute, Yubei, Chongqing 401120, China; NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore. Electronic address:
The combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy holds promise in treating cancer. A key strategy is to use small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer cells, disrupting tumor immune evasion and enhancing anticancer treatments, particularly when used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin (Dox). However, effective codelivery of drugs and genes requires carefully designed carriers and complex synthesis procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoft Matter
January 2025
School of Chemistry and University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules can take place in extremely concentrated salt solutions, such as inorganic molten salt hydrates or hydrous melts. The intermolecular interactions governing the organization of amphiphilic molecules under such extreme conditions are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the specific effects of ions on the self-assembly of the non-ionic surfactant CH(OCHCH)OH (CE) under extreme salt concentrations, using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate as a reference.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
January 2025
Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India; Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India. Electronic address:
Over the last decades, the release and occurrence of organic pollutants in aquatic systems have become a major global concern due to their bioaccumulation, toxicity, and adverse effects on the ecosystem. Tetracycline (TC), a widely used antibiotic, is often found at high concentrations in the aqueous environment and tends to bind with the natural colloids. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, the release of surfactants in the environment has increased due to the excessive use of washing and cleaning products.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
January 2025
School of Chemistry, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China. Electronic address:
In this study, the interactions between three quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) cationic surfactants with different branched-chain lengths (TMBAC, TEBAC, and TBBAC) and DNA are investigated by UV-vis absorption, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, viscosity method, and gel electrophoresis. Berberine hydrochloride (BR) is utilized as a fluorescent probe. The three interaction modes and strengths are compared.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Omega
January 2025
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
There is growing concern around the negative health impacts associated with contamination of drinking water by harmful chemicals. Technology that enables fast, cheap, and easy detection of ions and small molecules in drinking water is thus important for reducing the incidence of these negative health impacts. Here, we describe a sensor for detecting Cu in water that provides colorimetric results in 15 min or less and functions in a just-add-water format.
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