Unraveling the self-assembly and molecular interactions of a bio-inspired, vesicle-forming surfactant with block copolymers of varying hydrophobic/ hydrophilic balance

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2026

Authors

Machado, RL (Author) Other; Loureiro, EC (Author) Other; Silva, SG (Author) Other; Oliveira, IS (Author) Other; Eduardo F Marques (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Vol. 703

ISSN: 0021-9797

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

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Other information

Authenticus ID: P-01A-8TX

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139102

Abstract (EN): Soft nanomaterials can form stimuli-responsive self-assembled structures with significant potential for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Polymer/surfactant (P/S) solutions and hydrogels, in particular, have drawn great interest for the development of effective delivery systems, yet molecular insight into these systems and their mechanisms of action is still needed. Here, we examine the colloidal properties of mixtures comprising the amino acid-derived surfactant 14Lys10 and the amphiphilic triblock copolymers Pluronic F127 and P84, which have distinct hydrophobic/hydrophilic balances. We hypothesized that the two F127/14Lys10 and P84/ 14Lys10 systems would show strong, complex associative behavior and this was indeed observed. Combined data from light and electron microscopy, differential scanning microcalorimetry, rheology and surface tension provide a comprehensive picture. At room temperature, the bio-inspired surfactant forms a gel network of entangled nano and micro-tubes that transitions into vesicles at 33 degrees C. The polymers form micelles upon heating. When mixed, the polymer significantly decreases the strength of the tube network and lowers the tube-to-vesicle transition temperature, with the effect strongly dependent on polymer concentration and hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance. Upon tube disassembly, evidence indicates the formation of mixed vesicles coexisting with mixed micelles. Molecular-level insights into the interactions and self-assembly phenomena are provided. This study opens avenues for rationally designing hybrid soft materials as advanced functional biomaterials in nano-medicine and pharmaceutics.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12