Tubular Nanocontainers for Drug Delivery

Proof of multilayer structural organization in self-assembled polycation-polyanion molecular films

Abstract Multilayer organization of ultrathin polycation-polyanion self-assembled films is demonstrated using two approaches. (1) Fabrication of polyion superlattices with alternation of three different polyelectrolytes in (ABCB) n fashion, which gives rise to a Bragg peak in X-ray reflectivity. The spacing d=93.4 A corresponds to the repeat unit (ABCB) n . (2) Drying-induced manipulation of the film surface at regular intervals. Normally the layer-by-layer adsorption is carried out by keeping the film wet throughout all deposition cycles. Alternatively the film surface can be manipulated by gently drying the film in a stream of nitrogen or air after the adsorption of every layer. When the …

X-ray study of LB multilayers of cadmium soaps in the vicinity of the break up point

Temperature dependent SAXS measurements were carried out on multilayers of two different salts, cadmium palmitate (hexadecanoate) and behenate (docosanoate). The pattern characteristic of layer structure disappears at a transition temperature well below the bulk melting point in both cases. Examination by means of optical microscopy shows that the LB films break up at a temperature close to this transition. Measurements in its vicinity demonstrate that over a certain temperature range just below the transition a second set of peaks arises in the diffraction pattern. During this transition region of about 3 °C width two d-spacings for both salts were found, suggesting the simultaneous existe…

Composite films of natural clay nanotubes with cellulose and chitosan

Composite films based on cellulose, chitosan and halloysite clay nanotubes were prepared using a solution casting method, which allowed for a uniform distribution of nanotubes within the material and provided control over the morphology of the composite. The mechanical performance of these bio nanocomposites is influenced by humidity and the nanotubes showed a plasticisation effect on the polymeric matrix. The composites of chitosan and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), with modified hydrophobic inner lumens, resulted in a technique for controlled and sustainable surface cleaning. Lignocellulose wood microfibres modified with HNTs were also produced by a layer-by-layer assembly. The obtained ma…

Orientation of charged clay nanotubes in evaporating droplet meniscus.

© 2014 Elsevier Inc. During drying, an aqueous suspension of strongly charged halloysite clay nanotubes concentrates at the edge of the droplet ("coffee-ring" effect) which provides alignment of the tubes along the liquid-substrate contact line. First, the surface charge of the nanotubes was enhanced by polyanion adsorption inside of the lumen to compensate for the internal positive charges. This increased the magnitude of the ξ-potential of the tubes from -36 to -81mV and stabilized the colloids. Then, colloidal halloysite was dropped onto the substrate, dried at 65°C and after a concentration of ~0.05mgmL-1 was reached, the alignment of nanotubes occurred starting from the droplet edges. …

Magnetic coiffure: Engineering of human hair surfaces with polyelectrolyte-stabilised magnetite nanoparticles

Here we report a spontaneous electrostatic coating of human hair with aqueous Fe3O4 colloids capable to tailor magnetic properties to hair, orienting and even moving them under the influence of the external magnetic field. Magnetite particles were modified by cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes and then successfully deposited in dense arrays, starting from cuticle gaps and spreading further over a major hair surface. These biocompatible and biodegradable magnetic nanoparticles may serve as carriers for drug loading and delivery for topical pharmaceutical treatments. The deposition process was imaged in real-time using dark-field microscopy. The hair specimens were further studied using a …

Layer-by-Layer Adsorption: The Solid/Liquid-Interface as a Template for the Controlled Growth of Well-Defined Nanostructures of Polyelectrolytes, Proteins, DNA and Polynucleotides

This report describes the construction of ultrathin films whose structure can be tailored on the molecular scale. The resulting supramolecular film architectures may include functional biological macromolecules such as proteins or polynucleotides. The average distances of two functional layers can be adjusted on the nanometer scale (from less than lnm to several tens of nanometers), with a precision of approximately 0.1 nm. This control is achieved by varying the number and the thickness of the polyelectrolyte interlayers and requires the capability of steering each adsorption step with high accuracy. A crucial factor is the fabrication and manipulation of the film surface at each adsorptio…

Halloysite/Keratin Nanocomposite for Human Hair Photoprotection Coating

We propose a novel keratin treatment of human hair by its aqueous mixtures with natural halloysite clay nanotubes. The loaded clay nanotubes together with free keratin produce micrometer-thick protective coating on hair. First, colloidal and structural properties of halloysite/keratin dispersions and the nanotube loaded with this protein were investigated. Above the keratin isoelectric point (pH = 4), the protein adsorption into the positive halloysite lumen is favored because of the electrostatic attractions. The ζ-potential magnitude of these core-shell particles increased from -35 (in pristine form) to -43 mV allowing for an enhanced colloidal stability (15 h at pH = 6). This keratin-cla…

An assembly of organic-inorganic composites using halloysite clay nanotubes

Halloysite is natural tubular clay suitable as a component of biocompatible nanosystems with specific functionalities. The selective modification of halloysite inner/outer surfaces can be achieved by exploiting supramolecular and covalent interactions resulting in controlled colloidal stability adjusted to the solvent polarity. The functionalized halloysite nanotubes can be employed as reinforcing filler for polymers as well as carriers for the sustained release of active molecules, such as antioxidants, flame-retardants, corrosion inhibitors, biocides and drugs. The tubular morphology makes halloysite a perspective template for core-shell metal supports for mesoporous catalysts. The cataly…