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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Phase Behavior of the Phytantriol/C16EO10 System under Controlled Hydration Conditions
Nicole Barber1, Samina Akbar2, Adam Squires1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, BathBA2 7AY, U.K.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Adding surfactant C16EO10 to phytantriol/water systems stabilizes cubic diamond phases at higher temperatures and hydrations. This robust lipid system forms gyroid and diamond phases even below room temperature, valuable for templating.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Phytantriol-based systems are widely studied for their potential in templating applications.
- Understanding the phase behavior of lipid-water systems is crucial for controlling their nanostructure.
- Monoolein-based systems, while common, possess chemical vulnerabilities like ester bonds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase behavior of the phytantriol/C16EO10/water system.
- To determine the effect of adding the surfactant C16EO10 on the cubic diamond phase stability.
- To explore the potential of this chemically robust system for templating.
Main Methods:
- Systematic investigation of phase behavior through varying temperature and hydration.
- Utilizing X-ray scattering or other techniques to identify cubic phases (gyroid, diamond).
- Comparative analysis with phytantriol-only systems and monoolein-based systems.
Main Results:
- The addition of C16EO10 stabilizes the cubic diamond phase at higher temperatures.
- C16EO10 causes swelling of water channels, shifting cubic phases to higher hydrations (up to 55%).
- Gyroid and diamond phases were observed to form at temperatures as low as 0 °C.
Conclusions:
- The phytantriol/C16EO10/water system exhibits enhanced stability and a broader temperature range for cubic phase formation.
- The system's chemical robustness, lacking ester or C═C double bonds, makes it advantageous over monoolein systems.
- These findings highlight the system's significant potential for advanced templating applications.
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