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Synthesis of Monocyte-targeting Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Imaging of Atherosclerosis

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Mixed micellization and the dissociated Margules model for cationic/anionic surfactant systems.

Li-Sheng Hao¹, Yao-Tai Deng, Liu-Shun Zhou

¹College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B

|April 14, 2012

Summary

This study measured critical micelle concentrations (CMC) for mixed surfactant systems. Alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (C(n)TAB) and sodium dodecylsulfonate (AS) mixtures showed decreased CMC with increasing chain length, with synergistic effects observed.

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Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Colloid and Surface Science
Surfactant Science

Background:

Understanding the behavior of mixed surfactant systems is crucial for various industrial applications.
Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is a key parameter determining surfactant aggregation.
Alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (C(n)TAB) and sodium dodecylsulfonate (AS) are common ionic surfactants with distinct properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To measure the first and second critical micelle concentrations (CMC(1) and CMC(2)) for C(n)TAB/AS/H(2)O mixed systems.
To investigate the CMC(1) for trimethylene-1,3-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (12-3-12)/AS/H(2)O mixed systems.
To analyze the synergistic interactions and the effects of composition, chain length, and salt on CMC values.

Main Methods:

Experimental measurement of CMC(1) and CMC(2) for various mixed surfactant systems.
Calculation of the interaction parameter (β(m)) to quantify synergism.
Application of the pseudophase separation model coupled with the dissociated Margules model for data analysis.

Main Results:

CMC(1) and CMC(2) for C(n)TAB/AS/H(2)O systems decreased as the alkyl chain length (n) of C(n)TAB increased.
Equimolar mixtures exhibited the lowest CMC(1), while CMC(2) decreased with increasing concentration of the more surface-active surfactant.
The Hofmeister series influenced CMC(1) in non-equimolar C(16)TAB/AS systems, with minimal salt effect observed otherwise.
The proposed theoretical model accurately described the mixed CMC(1) and micellar compositions.

Conclusions:

Synergistic interactions between surfactants were quantified, with 12-3-12 and AS showing the strongest effect.
Surfactant chain length and composition significantly impact CMC values in mixed systems.
Both counterion and co-ion effects, explained by water affinity matching, influence CMC(2) in the presence of salt.