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Nanovesicle formation and microstructure in aqueous ditallowethylesterdimethylammonium chloride (DEEDMAC) solutions
Madivala G Basavaraj1, Naa Larteokor McFarlane1, Matthew L Lynch2
1Center for Neutron Science, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Colburn Laboratory, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|June 18, 2014
Summary
This study details methods for characterizing surfactant nanovesicles, crucial for personal care products. The findings enable accurate prediction of vesicle performance and stability in formulations.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Ditallowethylesterdimethylammonium chloride (DEEDMAC) based surfactant vesicles are key components in personal care products like fabric softeners.
- DEEDMAC's biodegradability drives interest in its vesicle formulations, stability, structure, and flow properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and nanostructure of unilamellar DEEDMAC surfactant vesicles.
- To develop and validate methods for determining nanovesicle volume fraction and density for performance and stability predictions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bright field optical microscopy for formation mechanism elucidation.
- Employed small angle neutron scattering (SANS), cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), viscometry, densitometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and zeta potential measurements.
- Developed a method to determine nanovesicle volume fraction from intrinsic viscosity and density.
Main Results:
- Characterized well-defined surfactant nanovesicles with an approximate diameter of 15 nm.
- Established a direct correlation between intrinsic viscosity, density, and nanovesicle volume fraction.
- Demonstrated quantitative agreement between the developed method and independent SANS measurements, confirming its robustness.
Conclusions:
- Presented a simple and effective method for determining nanovesicle volume fraction and density.
- These parameters are critical for quantitative estimation of nanovesicle performance and stability in industrial applications.
- The validated methods facilitate better formulation and application of DEEDMAC-based surfactant systems.
