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Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 31103

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dan-Florin Anghel

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Colloid Laboratory, Ilie Murgulescu Institute of Physical Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: surfactant micellization and solubilization; polymer–surfactant systems; fluorescently labeled polymers; associative polymers; polyelectrolyte multilayers; emulsion; micro- and nanoemulsion; metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles; partition phenomena; alternative fuels; enhanced oil recovery; soil compaction; frost prevention
Dr. Ludmila Otilia Cinteza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physical Chemistry Department, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Bd. Regina Elisabeta, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; nanostructured drug delivery systems; microemulsions; functional surfaces; nanocoatings; polymer–surfactant complexes; superhydrophobic materials; plasmonic nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few years, the field of colloids and nanomaterials has developed tremendously, and now it is almost impossible to imagine our life without them. As a result, Molecules has decided to publish a Special Issue devoted to recent achievements in and perspectives on Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications.

This subject is vast and generous, and a provisional list of topics, which is neither exhaustive nor restrictive, includes surfactants, liposomes, emulsions, microemulsions and nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, monolayers and multilayers, lyotropic liquid crystals, polymer–surfactant systems, and green chemistry.

Additionally, we welcome studies that describe applications in industry, biology, medicine, environmental protection, the conservation of artwork and historical heritage, enhanced oil recovery, or alternative fuels and novel energy sources, ores and raw materials, metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles, etc.

The Special Issue aims to present a collection of papers on the state-of-the-art in and perspectives on the field of functional colloids and their applications. We encourage the submission of works on nanomaterials, advanced composites, and related topics. Original research papers, short communications, and review articles will be published.

Dr. Dan-Florin Anghel
Assoc. Prof. Ludmila Otilia Cinteza
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • colloids
  • surfactants
  • polymers
  • fluid interfaces
  • air–water and oil–water interfaces
  • adsorbed and interfacial layers
  • spread and thin liquid films
  • foams and emulsions
  • coacervates
  • solid and soft nanoparticles
  • gels and microgels
  • fibrils
  • protein–polysaccharide systems
  • functional colloids in oxidation and light-harvesting processes
  • functional colloids in drug delivery
  • colloids in nutraceuticals, food, and food processing
  • functional colloids in green and sustainable chemistry

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3998 KiB  
Article
Shape and Structure Formation of Mixed Nonionic–Anionic Surfactant Micelles
by Michael Ludwig, Ramsia Geisler, Sylvain Prévost and Regine von Klitzing
Molecules 2021, 26(14), 4136; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26144136 - 7 Jul 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4137
Abstract
Aqueous solutions of a nonionic surfactant (either Tween20 or BrijL23) and an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) are investigated, using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). SANS spectra are analysed by using a core-shell model to describe the form factor of self-assembled surfactant micelles; [...] Read more.
Aqueous solutions of a nonionic surfactant (either Tween20 or BrijL23) and an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) are investigated, using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). SANS spectra are analysed by using a core-shell model to describe the form factor of self-assembled surfactant micelles; the intermicellar interactions are modelled by using a hard-sphere Percus–Yevick (HS-PY) or a rescaled mean spherical approximation (RMSA) structure factor. Choosing these specific nonionic surfactants allows for comparison of the effect of branched (Tween20) and linear (BrijL23) surfactant headgroups, both constituted of poly-ethylene oxide (PEO) groups. The nonionic–anionic surfactant mixtures are studied at various concentrations up to highly concentrated samples (ϕ ≲ 0.45) and various mixing ratios, from pure nonionic to pure anionic surfactant solutions. The scattering data reveal the formation of mixed micelles already at concentrations below the critical micelle concentration of SDS. At higher volume fractions, excluded volume effects dominate the intermicellar structuring, even for charged micelles. In consequence, at high volume fractions, the intermicellar structuring is the same for charged and uncharged micelles. At all mixing ratios, almost spherical mixed micelles form. This offers the opportunity to create a system of colloidal particles with a variable surface charge. This excludes only roughly equimolar mixing ratios (X≈ 0.4–0.6) at which the micelles significantly increase in size and ellipticity due to specific sulfate–EO interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications)
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26 pages, 9880 KiB  
Article
Double-Chain Cationic Surfactants: Swelling, Structure, Phase Transitions and Additive Effects
by Rui A. Gonçalves, Yeng-Ming Lam and Björn Lindman
Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3946; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133946 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4277
Abstract
Double-chain amphiphilic compounds, including surfactants and lipids, have broad significance in applications like personal care and biology. A study on the phase structures and their transitions focusing on dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), used inter alia in hair conditioners, is presented. The phase behaviour is [...] Read more.
Double-chain amphiphilic compounds, including surfactants and lipids, have broad significance in applications like personal care and biology. A study on the phase structures and their transitions focusing on dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), used inter alia in hair conditioners, is presented. The phase behaviour is dominated by two bilayer lamellar phases, Lβ and Lα, with “solid” and “melted” alkyl chains, respectively. In particular, the study is focused on the effect of additives of different polarity on the phase transitions and structures. The main techniques used for investigation were differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). From the WAXS reflections, the distance between the alkyl chains in the bilayers was obtained, and from SAXS, the thicknesses of the surfactant and water layers. The Lα phase was found to have a bilayer structure, generally found for most surfactants; a Lβ phase made up of bilayers with considerable chain tilting and interdigitation was also identified. Depending mainly on the polarity of the additives, their effects on the phase stabilities and structure vary. Compounds like urea have no significant effect, while fatty acids and fatty alcohols have significant effects, but which are quite different depending on the nonpolar part. In most cases, Lβ and Lα phases exist over wide composition ranges; certain additives induce transitions to other phases, which include cubic, reversed hexagonal liquid crystals and bicontinuous liquid phases. For a system containing additives, which induce a significant lowering of the Lβ–Lα transition, we identified the possibility of a triggered phase transition via dilution with water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications)
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23 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Temperature Controlled Loading and Release of the Anti-Inflammatory Drug Cannabidiol by Smart Microgels
by Maxim Dirksen, Timo Alexander Kinder, Timo Brändel and Thomas Hellweg
Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3181; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113181 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4867
Abstract
CBD is a promising candidate for treatment of many diseases and plays a major role in the growing trend to produce high-end drugs from natural, renewable resources. In the present work, we demonstrate a way to incorporate the anti-inflammatory drug CBD into smart [...] Read more.
CBD is a promising candidate for treatment of many diseases and plays a major role in the growing trend to produce high-end drugs from natural, renewable resources. In the present work, we demonstrate a way to incorporate the anti-inflammatory drug CBD into smart microgel particles. The copolymer microgels that we chose as carrier systems exhibit a volume phase transition temperature of 39 ∘C, which is just above normal body temperature and makes them ideal candidates for hyperthermia treatment. While a simple loading route of CBD was not successful due to the enormous hydrophobicity of CBD, an alternative route was developed by immersing the microgels in ethanol. Despite the expected loss of thermoresponsive behaviour of the microgel matrix due to the solvent exchange, a temperature-dependent release of CBD was detected by the material, creating an interesting question of interactions between CBD and the microgel particles in ethanol. Furthermore, the method developed for loading of the microgel particles with CBD in ethanol was further improved by a subsequent transfer of the loaded particles into water, which proves to be an even more promising approach due to the successful temperature-dependent release of the drug above the collapse temperature of the microgels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications)
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Review

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20 pages, 14567 KiB  
Review
Advanced Materials in Cultural Heritage Conservation
by Michele Baglioni, Giovanna Poggi, David Chelazzi and Piero Baglioni
Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3967; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133967 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 73 | Viewed by 11665
Abstract
Cultural Heritage is a crucial socioeconomic resource; yet, recurring degradation processes endanger its preservation. Serendipitous approaches in restoration practice need to be replaced by systematically addressing conservation issues through the development of advanced materials for the preservation of the artifacts. In the last [...] Read more.
Cultural Heritage is a crucial socioeconomic resource; yet, recurring degradation processes endanger its preservation. Serendipitous approaches in restoration practice need to be replaced by systematically addressing conservation issues through the development of advanced materials for the preservation of the artifacts. In the last few decades, materials and colloid science have provided valid solutions to counteract degradation, and we report here the main highlights in the formulation and application of materials and methodologies for the cleaning, protection and consolidation of works of art. Several types of artifacts are addressed, from murals to canvas paintings, metal objects, and paper artworks, comprising both classic and modern/contemporary art. Systems, such as nanoparticles, gels, nanostructured cleaning fluids, composites, and other functional materials, are reviewed. Future perspectives are also commented, outlining open issues and trends in this challenging and exciting field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications)
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27 pages, 3551 KiB  
Review
Formulation Improvements in the Applications of Surfactant–Oil–Water Systems Using the HLDN Approach with Extended Surfactant Structure
by Ana M. Forgiarini, Ronald Marquez and Jean-Louis Salager
Molecules 2021, 26(12), 3771; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26123771 - 21 Jun 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5327
Abstract
Soap applications for cleaning and personal care have been used for more than 4000 years, dating back to the pharaonic period, and have widely proliferated with the appearance of synthetic surfactants a century ago. Synthetic surfactants used to make macro-micro-nano-emulsions and foams are [...] Read more.
Soap applications for cleaning and personal care have been used for more than 4000 years, dating back to the pharaonic period, and have widely proliferated with the appearance of synthetic surfactants a century ago. Synthetic surfactants used to make macro-micro-nano-emulsions and foams are used in laundry and detergency, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, food conditioning, emulsified paints, explosives, enhanced oil recovery, wastewater treatment, etc. The introduction of a multivariable approach such as the normalized hydrophilic–lipophilic deviation (HLD N) and of specific structures, tailored with an intramolecular extension to increase solubilization (the so-called extended surfactants), makes it possible to improve the results and performance in surfactant–oil–water systems and their applications. This article aims to present an up-to-date overview of extended surfactants. We first present an introduction regarding physicochemical formulation and its relationship with performance. The second part deals with the importance of HLD N to make a straightforward classification according to the type of surfactants and how formulation parameters can be used to understand the need for an extension of the molecule reach into the oil and water phases. Then, extended surfactant characteristics and strategies to increase performance are outlined. Finally, two specific applications, i.e., drilling fluids and crude oil dewatering, are described. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Colloids for Advanced Nanomaterials and Composites: From Theory to Applications)
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