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Updated: May 16, 2026

Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles
Published on: March 2, 2020
Physicochemical characterization and self-assembly studies on cationic surfactants bearing mPEG tail
Joykrishna Dey1, Saurabh Shrivastava
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India. joydey@chem.iitkgp.ernet.in
Novel cationic surfactants with poly(ethylene glycol) tails exhibit surface activity and self-assembly into vesicles. These mPEG-based surfactants show antimicrobial properties and potential for drug encapsulation and pH-triggered release.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is typically used in nonionic surfactants.
- Cationic surfactants with PEG as a hydrophobic tail have not been previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- Synthesize novel cationic amphiphiles with mPEG tails.
- Investigate their surface activity, self-assembly, and antimicrobial properties.
- Explore their potential for drug delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of mPEG-tailed cationic amphiphiles.
- Surface activity measurements (critical micelle concentration).
- Vesicle characterization (DLS, TEM, fluorescence microscopy).
- Antimicrobial activity assays.
- Drug encapsulation and release studies.
Main Results:
- Synthesized amphiphiles demonstrated surface activity with low critical micelle concentration.
- mPEG tails led to lower cmc values compared to hydrocarbon counterparts.
- Spontaneous formation of small unilamellar vesicles (20-50 nm).
- Exhibited antimicrobial activity and pH-triggered drug release.
Conclusions:
- Novel cationic surfactants with mPEG tails are effective surface-active agents.
- Self-assembly into vesicles is driven by van der Waals interactions and hydrophobic effects.
- These surfactants show promise for antimicrobial applications and drug delivery systems.
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