CONDUCTIVITY OF SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE SOLUTIONS BELOW THE CRITICAL MICELLE CONCENTRATION

Influence of ionic constituents and electrical conductivity on the propagation of charged nanoscale objects in passivated gel electrophoresis

When determining the electric field E acting on charged objects in gel electrophoresis, the electrical conductivity of the buffer solution is often overlooked; E is typically calculated by dividing the applied voltage by a separation distance between electrodes. However, as a consequence of electrolytic reactions, which occur at the electrodes, gradients in the ionic content of the buffer solution and its conductivity can potentially develop over time, thereby impacting E and affecting propagation velocities of charged objects, v, directly. Here, we explore how the types and concentrations of ionic constituents of the buffer solution, which largely control its conductivity, when used in passivated gel electrophoresis (P-gelEP), can influence E, thereby altering v of charged nanospheres propagating through large-pore gels. We measure the conductivity of the buffer solution in the center of the gel region near propagating bands of nanospheres, and we show that predictions of E based on conductivity closely correlate with v. We also explore P-gelEP involving two different types of passivation agents: nonionic polyethylene glycol (PEG) and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Our observations indicate that using a conductivity model to determine E from the local current density and the conductivity where spheres are propagating can lead to a better estimate than the standard approach of a voltage divided by a separation. Moreover, this conductivity model also provides a starting point for interpreting the complex behavior created by amphiphilic ionic passivation agents, such as SDS, on propagating nanospheres used in some P-gelEP experiments.

Gel filtration chromatographic study on the self-association of surfactants and related compounds

After a brief survey of gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and the self-association equilibrium, it is shown that GFC is a unique tool for investigating the self-association of many substances, such as surfactants, chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ), Methylene Blue (MB) and a sulfobetaine derivative (CHAPS) of cholic acid. The hydrodynamic radius of an aggregate can be estimated with the gel of large pore size, such as Sephadex G-200. This method is utilized for the study of the sphere-rod transition of surfactant micelles. A precise value of monomer concentration can be determined from the centroid elution volume of a frontal chromatogram on Sephadex G-10. This important parameter in self-associating systems allows us to determine the micellar aggregation number as a function of the total surfactant concentration. The derivative chromatogram can be used to detect slight changes in self-association. From these results, it is found that nonionic surfactants form premicelles including dimer and that multiple equilibrium model for micelle formation is more appropriate than mass-action model. The Tanford theory with some modifications appears to fit the concentration dependence of the aggregation properties of surfactants forming small globular micelles and allows us to estimate the stepwise aggregation constant and the micelle size distribution function. The pronounced cooperativity in the self-association of surfactants forms the basis of mass action model and the concept of the cmc, though they are actually approximations even for surfactants. They would be more inadequate, though often used, for the self-association of drugs and bile salts. The stepwise aggregation constant of MB is almost independent of aggregation numbers, which may be expected from the stacking mode of aggregation. The main aggregates of CPZ in 154 mM sodium chloride solution are dimer and 38-mer and its dimerization constant is smaller than that of MB and larger than those of surfactants. The stepwise aggregation constant of CHAPS has the maximum at hexamer and oscillates, depending on odd or even aggregation numbers. Thus, the aggregation pattern of a substance is closely related with the chemical structure of the hydrophobic group of its molecule. The definition of cmc is discussed together with its significance.

Spin label study of detergents in the region of critical micelle concentration

A series of spin probes was employed to examine the behavior of the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at concentrations above and below the critical micelle concentration (cmc). The existence of detergent aggregates below the cmc was evidenced by the appearance of composite electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra for probes that have measurable solubility in water. The spectra were indicative of two probe populations: one in an aqueous environment and another in detergent aggregates. The ESR spectra of probes which are highly insoluble in water exhibited line broadening due to intermolecular spin exchange interactions, indicating that the probes were concentrated in detergent aggregates present below the experimental cmc. The results are discussed in terms of their significance for the study of the mechanisms of micelle formation and for the detection of detergent aggregates at very low concentrations.

CONDUCTANCES AND SURFACE TENSIONS OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF SODIUM DECANOATE, SODIUM LAURATE, AND SODIUM MYRISTATE, AT 25° AND 35°

The equivalent conductances of aqueous solutions of sodium decanoate, sodium laurate, and sodium myristate have been determined from the very dilute region up to saturation concentration, at 25° and 35°. The limiting conductances have been obtained from the measurements in the usual way. In addition and for the sake of completeness, the limiting equivalent conductances of sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, and sodium butyrate have also been determined at 35°, since they were not known at this temperature.The effect of increasing chain length on mobility is discussed. From a consideration of the experimental and the theoretical values of the slopes of the plots of equivalent conductance against the square root of the concentration, it is concluded that some sort of interaction, possibly a reversible dimerization of anions, occurs, even in the dilute region, and this could account for the lower experimental values of the slope. This phenomenon has been observed with other long chain electrolytes, however, and the hypothesis of dimerization is not the only possible one.The critical micelle concentrations have been determined, and recent concepts of micelle formation are applied to interpret their structure. The surface tensions of the aqueous solutions have been measured at 25° and 50°.