It has been reported in our previous study that a homogeneous phase (L1) can be obtained by mixing an appropriate ratio of hydrotrope and lipids. This microemulsion region can be used to prepare unilamellar vesicles by dilution with an aqueous media. It has also been shown that vesicle size is proportional to the lipid/hydrotrope ratio, where the addition of hydrotrope to these systems affects the curvature of the vesicles that form. The nature of lipid/hydrotrope interaction in the L1 phase is important to understanding the vesicle formation mechanism, so as to facilitate the control of the physical and chemical properties of synthesized vesicles
In this study, the L1 phases for lipid/hydrotope/water systems were systematically investigated using dynamic NMR method. More specifically, NMR T1 relaxation times are measured for the L1 systems made of various hydrotropes with lipid/hydrotrope molar ratios. Among the hydrotropes studied, the discussion will be focused on sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), sodium cumene sulfonate (SCS), and sodium toluene sulfonate (STS). Due to their structural difference, it is anticipated that the degree of interaction between the hydrotrope and lipid varies. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that subtle differences in lipid-hydrotrope interactions stem from structural variations in the hydrotopes and their ability to solubilize various lipids. This in turn influences physical and chemical properties of the vesicles.
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Back to The 33rd Northeast Regional Meeting (July 14-17, 2005)