Osmolyte Impact on Surfactant Bound Water Nanodroplets

Osmolyte Impact on Surfactant Bound Water Nanodroplets

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

10-2-2019

Abstract

To investigate the impact of osmolytes on surfactant bound water nanodroplets, we studied reverse micelle systems involving anionic surfactant docusate sodium (AOT). David’s project focused on the effects of saccharide structure on reverse micelle stability as temperature decreased. David compared the effects of using glucose anhydride (the closed-form of glucose) and sorbitol (the open-chain form of glucose) in the reverse micelle system with varying concentrations of each. Using a temperature- dependent UV-vis spectrophotometer, the temperature of the AOT reverse micelles were decreased, and the stability of the reverse micelle systems were observed UV absorption. The data collected indicated that the stability of the reverse micelle system did appear to remain relatively more stable at some specific concentrations of saccharides, but structure of the saccharide did not appear to have a conclusive effect on the stability of the system. At the same time, Luke’s project centered on comparing systems with different polar molecules in the core. Luke compared reverse micelles containing formamide, N-methylformamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide. The data collected from UV-Vis absorption of methyl orange dye was used to determine the impact of the addition of formamide and its derivatives to the polar core. The data collected shows patterns of peak narrowing toward a higher energy level as the amount of water in the system decreases.

Project Mentor

Prof. B. Gourley, PhD

Funding and Acknowledgements

Funding: Steven S. Clark Endowed Fund for Student-Faculty Environmental Research, the Douglas A. & Phyllis G. Smith Student Faculty Collaborative Research Fund, the Faculty Development Program, and the DePauw Chemistry Research Fund

Osmolyte Impact on Surfactant Bound Water Nanodroplets

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