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Probing Water State during Lipidic Mesophases Phase Transitions
Yang Yao1, Sara Catalini2, Bence Kutus3
1Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|September 24, 2021
Summary
Lipidic mesophases exhibit distinct water states during phase transitions. Water dynamics slow due to hydrogen bonds and nanoconfinement, with more bound water in the hexagonal phase than cubic phases.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Lipidic mesophases, formed by amphiphilic molecules like monolinolein, self-assemble into various nanostructures.
- Understanding water's behavior within these structures is crucial for applications in drug delivery and biomimetic systems.
- Phase transitions between bicontinuous cubic and reverse hexagonal phases alter the water network's topology and dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the static and dynamic states of water during phase transitions in monolinolein-based lipidic mesophases.
- To elucidate the relationship between water network dynamics, hydrogen bonding, and mesophase structure.
- To compare water behavior in double gyroid, double diamond cubic, and reverse hexagonal phases.
Main Methods:
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to probe hydrogen bonding.
- Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) to analyze water dynamics.
- Combination of FTIR and BDS for comprehensive characterization of water states.
Main Results:
- Two distinct water fractions (bound and interstitial free) were identified in both cubic and hexagonal phases.
- Water dynamics in both fractions are slower than bulk water due to hydrogen bonding and nanoconfinement.
- Contrary to expectations, the hexagonal phase showed more hydrogen-bonded water than the cubic phase, attributed to topological differences.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals complex water dynamics and hydrogen bonding patterns in lipidic mesophases.
- Phase transitions significantly influence water network structure and mobility.
- Topological factors, specifically the interface/volume ratio, play a key role in rationalizing observed water behavior.
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