Studies on Self Assembled Soft System Mediated Molecular Interactions

Abstract

Surfactants, either synthetic or natural, are structurally simple molecules with the unprecedented capacity to self-assemble into complex, hierarchical geometries in nanospace. Surfactants are one of the most versatile substances in the chemical industry that play an important role in the human endeavors ranging from very mundane to very sophisticated ones. Besides their applications in detergency, emulsification, wetting, foaming, enhanced oil recovery, solubilization etc., find applications in high technology areas like biotechnology, micro-electronics, catalysis, pharmaceutical and food industries etc. Effective self-assembly processes of amphiphiles are often used to mimic biological systems, such as assembly of lipids and proteins, which has paved a way for bottom-up nanotechnology with bio-like advanced functions. They are increasingly being used as reaction media that alter the reaction rates, reaction routes, products, and in some cases, the stereochemistry. Many of the affected reactions have potential industrial applications in varied fields like pharmacy, photography, extraction and polymerization. The use of aqueous micellar media in kinetic studies is rapidly increasing with the aim to replace the conventional organic solvent based synthesis by micelle based synthesis, which not only provides a greater control over stereoselectivity but is environment friendly as well. newlineIn view of this, we attempted to explore the molecular interactions mediated by surfactant based self-assembled soft systems to understand their mode of action and ensure better performance and/or efficient use in various applications. The emphasis was laid on formulation and microstructural investigation of ionic liquids based mixed micelles, surface active ionic liquids have been recognized as highly efficient and eco-friendly compared to conventional surfactants. Solubilization and co-solubilization of biologically and technologically important molecules was carried out in different micellar assemblies.