Complexes of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and surfactants – recent developments in the field of biologically derived polyelectrolytes

Abstract

We review the work done on complexes between biopolyelectrolytes such as ionically modified cellulose or chitosan and oppositely charged surfactants. Around equimolarity of the charges one typically observes precipitation but for other mixing ratios one may form long-time stable complexes, where structure and rheology depend on the mixing ratio, total concentration and the molecular constitution of the components. In addition, it may be the case that the structures are formed under non-equilibrium situations and therefore depend on the preparation path. The binding is shown to occur cooperatively and the micelles present often retain their shape irrespective of the complexation. However, the rather stiff biopolyelectrolytes may lead to an interconnection between different aggregates thereby forming a network with the corresponding rheological properties. In general, the structure and the properties of the aggregates are rather versatile and correspondingly one can create a wide range of different surfactant-biopolyelectrolyte systems by appropriately choosing the composition. This is very interesting as it allows for formulations with a large range of tuneable properties with ecologically friendly polyelectrolytes for many relevant applications.

Towards a better understanding on agglomeration mechanisms and thermodynamic properties of TiO2 nanoparticles interacting with natural organic matter

“…All these parameters are accessible through a single experiment. This method has been applied to a wide range of chemical and biochemical binding interactions and was especially used for protein-substrate interactions, structure-based drug design and supramolecular polymers self-associations (Arnaud and Bouteiller 2004, Brinatti et al 2014, Cedervall et al 2007, Chiappisi et al 2013, Doyle 1997, Jelesarov and Bosshard 1999, Kamiya et al 1996, Kim et al 2010, Ladbury 2001, Matulis et al 2002, Vitorazi et al 2014. Humic acid coverage on arsenic was shown to slightly reduce the binding interaction and the rate constant between arsenic-coated and ferrihydrite-kaolinite mixtures (Martin et al 2009).…”

Co-assembly in chitosan–surfactant mixtures: thermodynamics, structures, interfacial properties and applications

“…These polymers are in general rather biocompatible, they derive from renewable resources and most of them are available in large quantities and at low cost, making them attractive for industrial purposes [8]. For a general overview of the aspects characterizing ionic polysaccharides and their mixtures with soft colloids we address the reader to some recent reviews [6,[9][10][11][12]. A general feature of biopolyelectrolytes is that their backbone is based on carbohydrates, e.g., cellulose based polyelectrolytes.…”

“…Pronounced synergistic effects are found when surfactants and polyelectrolytes are oppositely charged. These mixtures are used both in the solid state, as they provide an easy route for the preparation of highly structured materials [1][2][3] and in solution, due to the high structural variety and the often present stimuli-responsiveness of such supramolecular complexes [4][5][6].…”

Effects of monovalent and multivalent ions on the stability of a polyelectrolyte complex with entrapped surfactants

“…[1][2][3][4][5] The ease of assembly and disassembly of these PECs make them attractive as potential drug-delivery vehicles that enable controlled release of drugs and small molecules and also as nonviral gene-delivery vectors. 3,[6][7][8] Some of us have extended the use of these PECs to enhanced oil recovery as well and used PECs to control the release of oil-field chemical agents, including surfactants. 2 In recent applications, the advantages of using self-assembled PECs without any excess surfactant or polyelectrolytes over the use of polyelectrolyte-surfactant mixtures have been highlighted.…”