Stimuli-responsive surface crystallization of phospholipids from bimodal colloidal particles

These studies focus on the effect of phospholipids in the presence of ionic surfactants on the behavior of poly(methylmethactrylate/n-butyl acrylate) (p-MMA/nBA) colloidal particles during film formation. With the presence of two surfactants, it is possible to obtain particles that exhibit two distinct particle sizes. The presence of hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (SDOSS), which stabilize these bimodal colloidal dispersions, has a significant effect on the mobility of individual components during coalescence. Specifically, the presence of HSPC inhibits migration of SDOSS to the film-air (F-A) interface. Furthermore, the presence of electrolyte species such as aqueous CaCl2 has a very pronounced effect on film formation. When the Ca2+/HSPC ratio is 0.1/1.0, SDOSS is released to the F-A interface during coalescence. At 2.0/1.0 Ca2+/HSPC, HSPC diffuses to the F-A interface and crystalline domains consisting of HSPC are formed. This stimuli-responsive behavior is confirmed using IRIR imaging that ultimately exhibits different surface morphologies. These studies illustrate for the first time that it is possible to control the release of two different surface-active species during coalescence that form crystalline domains.