Selective protein fouling on block copolymer micelles with well-known potential for tumour-targeting drug delivery was evidenced by using dynamic light scattering measurements. The stability and interaction of block copolymer micelles with model proteins (BSA, IgG, lysozyme and CytC) is reported for systems featuring a hydrophobic (poly[2-(diisopropylamino)-ethyl methacrylate]) (PDPA) core and ...

The produced liquid water in cathode catalyst layer (CCL) has significant effect on the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). To investigate this effect, the transport of oxygen in CCL in the presence of immiscible liquid water is studied applying a two-dimensional pore scale model. The CCL was reconstructed as an agglomerated system. To explore the wettability effects, diffe...

A new approach to the problem of cold denaturation is presented. It is based on solvent-induced effects operating on hydrophilic groups along the protein. These effects are stronger than the corresponding hydrophobic effects, and they operate on the hydrophilic groups which are plentiful than hydrophobic groups. It is shown that both heat and cold denaturation can be explained by these hydrophi...

First evidence and the mechanism of formation of closed bilayer structures by a single chain amino acid ionic liquid (IL), L-proline isopropylester laurylsulfate in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ILs, is reported. Such ionic self-assemblies are shown to be guided by fine balance of solvophobic effects and ionic arrangements via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions.

Temperature-responsive oxazoline-based polymer brushes have gained increased attention as biocompatible surfaces. In aqueous environment, they can be tuned between hydrophilic and hydrophobic behavior triggered by a temperature stimulus. This transition is connected with changes in molecule-solvent interactions and results in a switching of the brushes between swollen and collapsed states. This...

Several types of common polymers were deposited on glass slides sililated with organofunctional silanes. The extent of surface coverage, adsorbed layer thickness and topology were experimentally determined. The strength of polymer interaction with the silane treated glass was investigated using contact-mode AFM. The interaction strength to the surface was found to be dominated by hydrophobic/hy...

Nanomedicine formulations such as biodegradable nanoparticles (nps) and liposomes offer several advantages over traditional routes of administration: due to their small size, nanocarriers are able to selectively accumulate inside tumours or inflammatory tissues, resulting in improved drug efficacy and reduced side effects. To further augment targeting ability of nanoparticles towards tumour cel...

To better understand the role of surface chemical heterogeneity in natural nanoscale hydration, we study via molecular dynamics simulation the structure and thermodynamics of water confined between two protein-like surfaces. Each surface is constructed to have interactions with water corresponding to those of the putative hydrophobic surface of a melittin dimer, but is flattened rather than hav...

The extent and locus of solubilization of guest and self-assembling surfactant host molecules in aqueous solutions are influenced by a variety of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions, as well as by more specific interactions between the various species present. By using a combination of two-dimensional heteronuclear 13C[1H] NMR correlation experiments with pulsed-gradient NMR diffusion and ...