Die Arbeit beschreibt die Synthese und Charakterisierung von amphiphilen Polyurethanen mit Emulgatoreigenschaften für die Polymerisation hydrophober Monomere in wässriger Phase. Der Emulgator wurde mit kolloid- und polymerchemischen Methoden hinsichtlich seiner grenzflächenaktiven Eigenschaften sowie einer Strukturbildung in wässriger Phase charakterisiert. Die Emulsionspolymerisation mit dem polymeren PU-Emulgator am Beispiel von Styrol ist untersucht worden. Dabei sind die Partikelgrössen und deren Verteilung in Abhängigkeit von Reaktionsparametern mittels Photonen-Korrelations-Spektroskopie und durch Fluss-Feldfluss-Fraktionierung (F-FFF) bestimmt worden. Weiterhin wurde mittels Dilatometrie und Reaktionskalometrie die Polymerisationskinetik untersucht. Die Partikelmorphologie konnte durch Festkörper-NMR modelliert werden. Durch Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) im Tapping mode konnte die Oberfläche und die Phasenseparation der polymeren Phasen charakterisiert werden. / This paper describes the synthesis of a reactive amphiphilic polyurethane, and its use as an emulsifier for the emulsion polymerization of styrene. The colloid properties and the structure of the emulsifier in the aqueous phase have been investigated. When the acrylic polymerization is carried out with hydrophobic monomers, we obtain a composite particle structure. The variation of particle size and particle size distribution as a function of the reaction parameters was measured by light scattering methods and Flow-fieldflow-fractionation (F-FFF) . Through investigation by dilatometry and reaction calorimetry it was possible to compare the polymerization process with that of common emulsion polymerization. Solid State NMR analysis allowed us to develop a core-shell model for the composite particle structure, and to determine the presence of an interphase layer between core and shell. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) methods were used to characterize the surface of the films, and tapping mode AFM was used to characterize the polymer phase separation on the micro scale.

Amphiphiles that possess a dual character, hydrophobic and hydrophilic, are employed in many chemical, pharmaceutical and biological applications. Amphiphile molecules that include a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail can easily adsorb at a liquid/vapour interface, to reach to a minimum free energy and hence a most thermodynamically stable state. Surface tension is a key parameter for understanding such behavior of an amphiphile, or a surfactant. This thesis represents a comprehensive study on adsorption and surface tension of slightly volatile, organic amphiphiles in aqueous solution. Although for a vapor-liquid interface, adsorption from both liquid and vapor phases should be considered, they have been almost always considered exclusive of one another. When a volatile surfactant is dissolved in the liquid phase, it also applies a finite partial pressure in the vapor phase. Recently, dynamic surface tension experiments showed that adsorption from both sides of a vapor/liquid interface must be studied simultaneously. It is noted that surface tension phenomena are often dynamic, in particular when the surface under consideration is perturbed. With the newly discovered importance of adsorption from both sides of a vapor/liquid interface, one may have to ask the question: how dynamic surface tension is influenced and responding to the surface perturbation and environment changes, and whether both sides of the interface play a role in surface tension responses. In this research, axisymmetric drop shape analysis-profile (ADSA-P) is used for surface tension measurement. The experiments are performed in a closed chamber where the effects of surfactant concentrations of both liquid and vapor phases on the surface tension can be studied. The partial vapor pressure of surfactant is controlled with an environment solution containing the same surfactant as the sample solution. The environment solution is to facilitate adsorption from the vapor side of the interface by creating a surfactant vapor phase. The effects of surface perturbation, environment condition (i.e., temperature and pressure) and carbon chain length on the surface tension and adsorption kinetics are studied in detail. The surface tension response of 1-octanol aqueous solution to surface area perturbation is investigated. Upon surface compression, the surface tension decreases followed by a gradual increase back to the value prior to compression. On surface expansion, two categories of surface tension response are observed: First, when the change in surface area is smaller than 5%, the behavior similar to that of conventional surfactants is observed. The surface tension increases followed by a gradual decrease back to the value prior to expansion. Second, when the change in surface area is greater than 5%, and the drop concentration is sufficiently larger than the environment concentration, the surface tension initially slightly increases, but after a time delay, it sharply decreases, followed by a gradual increase back to the value prior to expansion. Previous studies showed that at steady-state condition a network of hydrogen bonding between surfactant and water molecules near the surface is created. The unique surface tension response after large expansion might be related to the momentarily destruction of this hydrogen bonding network and gradually making a new one. The effect of temperature on the surface tension and adsorption kinetics of 1-octanol, 1-hexanol and 1-butanol aqueous solutions is studied. The steady-state surface tension is found to decrease upon an increase in temperature, and a linear relationship is observed between them. The modified Langmuir equation of state and the modified kinetic transfer equation are used to model the experimental data of the steady-state and dynamic (time-dependent) surface tension, respectively. The equilibrium constants and adsorption rate constants are evaluated through a minimization procedure for temperatures ranging from 10°C to 35°C. From the steady-state modelling, the equilibrium constants for adsorption from vapor phase and liquid phase are found to increase with temperature. From the dynamic modelling, the adsorption rate constants for adsorption from vapor phase and liquid phase are found to increase with temperature too. The influence of carbon dioxide pressure on the surface tension and adsorption kinetics of the aforementioned surfactant aqueous solutions is investigated. To consider the effect of adsorption/desorption of the two species (surfactant and carbon dioxide) from both sides of a vapor/liquid interface on the surface tension, the modified Langmuir equation of state and the modified kinetic transfer equation are derived. The steady-state and dynamic surface tension data are modelled using the modified Langmuir equation of state and the modified kinetic transfer equation, respectively. The equilibrium constants and adsorption rate constants of surfactant and carbon dioxide are evaluated through a minimization procedure for CO2 pressures ranging from 0 to 690 KPa. From the steady-state modelling, the equilibrium parameters for surfactant and carbon dioxide adsorption from vapor phase and liquid phase are found unchanged for different pressures of carbon dioxide. From the dynamic modelling, the adsorption rate constants for surfactant and carbon dioxide are found to decrease with carbon dioxide pressure. The role of carbon chain length of amphiphiles in aqueous solution is also studied. It is illustrated that the equilibrium constants for adsorption from both sides of a vapor/liquid interface increase from 1-butanol to 1-octanol. The modelling results show that the ratio of the equilibrium constant for adsorption from vapor phase to the equilibrium constant for adsorption from liquid phase declines from 260 to 26 as the chain length is increased from 1-butanol to 1-octanol. Therefore, the contribution to adsorption from liquid phase augments as the chain length is increased. The adsorption kinetics for this group of short carbon chain surfactants is modelled using a kinetic transfer equation. The modelling results show that the adsorption rate constants from vapor phase and liquid phase (kag and kal) increase from 1-butanol to 1-octanol. Steady-state and dynamic modelling also reveals that the maximum surface concentration increases with carbon chain length. These results may be due to the higher hydrophobicity character of a surfactant molecule at longer carbon chain length.

There is a demand for new straightforward approaches for stabilization and solubilization of various nanoparticulate materials in their colloidal form, that pave way for fabrication of materials possessing compatibility with wide range of dispersing media. Therefore in this thesis a new general method to form stable nanocrystals in water and organics using amphiphilic polymers generated through simple and low cost techniques is presented and discussed. Amphiphilic coating agents are formed using thiolated or carboxylated polyethylene glycol methyl ether (mPEG-SH) as a starting material. These materials are available with a wide variety of chain lengths. The method of obtaining of amphiphilic NPs is quite general and applicable for semiconductor CdTe nanocrystals as well as nanoscale noble metal (Au) and magnetic (Fe3O4) particles. This approach is based on anchoring PEG segment to the surface of a nanoparticle to form an amphiphilic palisade. Anchoring is realized via interaction of –SH (for CdTe and Au) or –COOH (in the case of magnetite) functional groups with particle’s surface. The resulting amphiphilicity of the nanocrystals is an inherent property of their surface and it is preserved also after careful washing out of solution of any excess of the ligand. The nanocrystals reversibly transfer between different phases spontaneously, i.e. without any adjustment of ionic strength, pH or composition of the phases. Such reversible and spontaneous phase transfer of nanocrystals between solvents of different chemical nature has a great potential for many applications as it constitutes a large degree of control of nanocrystals compatibility with technological processes or with bio-environments such as water, various buffers and cell media as well as their assembly and self-assembly capabilities.

Ayant une structure particulière avec une tête hydrophile et une queue hydrophobe, des molécules amphiphile ont de nombreuses applications importantes, comme par exemple, la fabrication des détergents, la protection et la fonctionnalisation de surfaces, etc. Des agrégats de diverses formes, micelles, véhicules, membranes etc., peuvent se former à partir des amphiphiles. La complexité de ces agrégats moléculaires rend l’étude théorique de ce type de systèmes extrêmement difficile. Jusqu’à présent, notre connaissance sur l’interaction entre des nanoparticules et des agrégats des amphiphiles reste encore incomplète. A l’aide de certaines méthodes de simulations moléculaire et une approche théorique, nous avons entrepris une série d’études pour mieux comprendre les questions fondamentales suivantes :1. Comment la présence de nanoparticules, notamment la courbure de ses surfaces, affecte l’agrégation de molécules amphiphile ?2. Comment une bicouche de lipide, une forme d’agrégat particulier des amphiphile, peut induire l’assemblage auto-organisé de nanoparticules hydrophobes ?3. Est-ce que la présence des nanoparticules peut provoquer des transitions morphologiques d’un nanotube membranaire ? / Amphiphile molecules, endowed with a particular structure containing a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail, have many important applications, e.g., fabrication of detergents, surface coating or surface functionalization, etc. Molecular aggregates of various forms, micelles, vehicle, membranes, etc. can be formed from amphiphile molecules. The complexity of these molecular aggregates involving a large number of atoms make the theoretical study of these system very challenging. Up to now, our understanding of the interaction between nanoparticles and aggregates of amphiphiles remains quite incomplete. Using a variety of molecular simulation methods and some theoretical approaches (Helfrich theory and perturbation theory), we have studied the following issues in the present thesis: 1. How the presence of nanoparticles, especially due to their highly curved surfaces, affects the aggregation of the amphiphiles? 2. How a lipid bilayer, a particular amphiphile aggregate, induces the self-assembly of hydrophobic nanoparticles.3. How the morphology transition of a membrane nanotube can be induced by nanoparticles?

Dans ce travail, nous avons développé des nanostructures théranostics à base de polypeptides fonctionnalisées avec un photosensibilisateur (PTS) dans le but d’être utilisées en thérapie photodynamique (PDT). La génération d'oxygène singulet et les propriétés de fluorescence du PTS peuvent ainsi à la fois diagnostiquer et traiter une tumeur. Un dérivé asymétrique et multifonctionnel de l'aza-dipyrrométhènes difluorure de bore chélate (aza-BODIPY) fluorogène a été synthétisé pour être utilisé comme photosensibilisateur en raison de ses propriétés non toxiques, son insensibilité à l'environnement biologique externe, sa production d'oxygène singulet élevée et son important rendement quantique de fluorescence. Pour permettre au photosensibilisant d’atteindre la tumeur, quatre copolymères à blocs amphiphiles différents en termes de localisation du PTS et de la longueur de la chaîne PEG ont été synthétisés. Les blocs amphiphiles sont constitués de segments poly(ɤ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG, DP ~ 50) et poly(éthylène glycol) (PEG, DP = 45 et 113). Ces copolymères sont en outre capables de s’auto-assembler en micelles et en vésicules. Nous avons développé une stratégie de synthèse permettant la liaison covalente du PTS pour les copolymères à blocs amphiphiles, empêchant ainsi une fuite du PTS avant que le nanoparticules atteignent le site de la tumeur. En outre, nous avons étudié l'activité du PTS en fonction de la concentration, de la morphologie des nanoparticules et de la localisation du PTS dans les nanoparticules. Enfin, l'efficacité des nanoparticules a été évaluée in vitro sur des cellules HeLa et B16F1. / In this work, we developed photosensitizer (PTS) functionalized polypeptide-based theranostic nano-assemblies to be used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The singlet oxygen generation and fluorescence properties of the PTS provide simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of the tumor.An asymmetric and multifunctional derivative of the aza-dipyrromethene boron difluoride chelate (aza-BODIPY) fluorophore was synthesized to be used as a photosensitizer due to its nontoxic properties, insensitivity to external biological environment, high singlet oxygen generation and fluorescent quantum yield. To carry the photosensitizer to the tumor, four different (in terms of PTS localization and PEG chain length) amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of poly(ɤ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG, DP~50) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, DP=45 and 113) chains, able to self-assembled into micelles and vesicles, were synthesized. We developed a synthetic strategy allowing covalent linkage of PTS to the amphiphilic block copolymers, thus preventing PTS leakage before the nano-assembly reaches the tumor site. Moreover, we investigated PTS activity as a function of concentration, morphology of the nano-assemblies and PTS localization in the nano-assemblies. Finally, the efficacy of the nano-assemblies has been evaluated in vitro on HeLa and B16F1 cells.

Ce travail a concerné la préparation des premières nanoparticules de supraconducteurs moléculaires dont la croissance en solution a pu être contrôlée par l'ajout de molécules amphiphiles neutres (amines, imines, acides carboxyliques). Notre étude s'est principalement focalisée sur les sels de Bechgaard (TMTSF)2X (TMTSF : tétraméthyltétrasélénafulvalène, X = ClO4 ou PF6) et sur le dérivé (BEDT-TTF)2I3 (BEDT-TTF : bis(éthylènedithio)tétrathiafulvalène). La taille, la morphologie et l'état de dispersion des nanoparticules ont été contrôlés par la nature et la concentration du structurant amphiphile. Ces nanoparticules ont été caractérisées par des méthodes spectroscopiques (IR, Raman, UV-visible, spectrométrie de photoélectrons), diffractométriques et microscopiques (microscopie électronique à transmission et AFM). Elles présentent une transition vers un état supraconducteur mise en évidence par des mesures de résistivité électrique ou de susceptibilité magnétique. Finalement, le pouvoir thermoélectrique des nano-objets de (BEDT-TTF)2I3 a été évalué. Des mesures préliminaires de facteur de mérite thermoélectrique (ZT) en font des candidats potentiels pour la réalisation de modules thermoélectriques organiques. / In this work, we described the preparation of the first nanoparticles of molecule-based superconductors for which the growth has been controlled by the addition of neutral amphiphilic molecules (such as amines, imines, carboxylic acids). Our study focused on Bechgaard salts (TMTSF)2X (TMTSF: tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene, X = ClO4 or PF6) and (BEDT-TTF)2I3 (BEDT-TTF: bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene). The size, the morphology and the state of dispersion of the nanoparticles have been controlled by the nature and the concentration of the amphiphilic structuring agent. The particles have been characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, Raman, UV-visible, photoelectron spectroscopy), X-Ray diffraction and microscopy (TEM and AFM). Small particles underwent a transition to a superconducting state, as evidenced by electrical resistivity or magnetic susceptibility measurements. Finally, the thermoelectric power of nano-objects of (BEDT-TTF)2I3 has been evaluated. Preliminary measurements of the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) make them potential candidates for future organic-based thermoelectric generators.

Deux séries de copolymères tribloc thermo-sensibles et amphiphiles, à savoir poly(L-lactide)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-diméthylacrylamide) et poly(L-lactide)/poly(2-(2-méthoxyéthoxy) éthyl méthacrylate-co-oligo(éthylène glycol) méthacrylate) ont été synthétisées par polymérisation radicalaire par transfert d'atomes en utilisant le Br-PLLA-Br comme macroamorceur dans des conditions douces. Les copolymères obtenus présentent une structure de chaînes bien définie avec une dispersité étroite, et sont capable de s'auto-assembler dans un milieu aqueux pour donner des micelles sphériques de taille en dessous de 100 nm et de faible concentration micellaire critique (<0.016 mg mL-1). La température critique inférieure de solution peut être ajustée avec précision en faisant varier le rapport NIPAAm/DMAAm ou MEO2MA/OEGMA. Un principe actif hydrophobe, curcumine, a été choisi comme modèle pour déterminer les propriétés de libération des micelles à différentes températures. Une libération thermo-sensible de curcumine a été observée, indiquant que ces copolymères sont prometteurs pour la libération ciblée de principes actifs anti-tumoraux. / Two series of thermo-responsive and amphiphilic triblock copolymers, i.e. poly(L-lactide)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) and poly(L-lactide)/poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using Br-PLLA-Br as macroinitiator under mild conditions. The obtained copolymers present well defined chain structures with narrow dispersity, and are able to self-assemble in aqueous medium yielding spherical micelles with size below 100 nm and low critical micellization concentration (<0.016 mg mL-1). The lower critical solution temperature is precisely adjusted by changing the NIPAAm/DMAAm or MEO2MA/OEGMA ratio. A hydrophobic drug, curcumin, is taken as a model to evaluate the drug release properties of micelles at different temperatures. Thermo-responsive drug release behavior is observed, indicating that these copolymers are promising candidate for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs.

In this master ‘s thesis, catanionic vesicles formed by the pseudo-double-chain complex CTA – DS were investigated from the point of view of microviscosity. Samplesand of cationic vesicles contained 23, 43 and 53 mol. % of cholesterol and the double-chain surfactant DODAC. Cationic vesicles were prepared for visual observation, their stability was determined by DLS and the prepared system was further investigated. Microviscosity was determined from fluorescence anisotropy. To study the outer part of the membrane, laurdan fluorescent probes were used whereas diphenylhexatriene was used for the inner part of the membrane. This method has been proven to be suitable because it reflects the conditions of the membrane. Moreover, a 1,3-bispyrenylpropane probe forming intramolecular excimers was used to study the microviscosity in the vesicle bilayer. The dicyanovinyljulolidine (DCVJ) probe was applied in the case of the molecular rotor technique. It has been shown that in the case of the DCVJ probe, the molecular rotor technique is practically unusable, due to the fact that the probe has a low quantum yield at low temperatures. Also, the excimer formation of P3P probes does not lead to the expected results. The cationic vesicles do not seem to support this formation, as they are too closely related. This type of probe can be used for the selected system with some restrictions.

This thesis deals with the characterization and preparation of catanionic vesicular systems and their interaction with water-insoluble vitamins. Catanionic vesicles systems was prepared from two differently charged sufractants CTAB and SDS in formation ion pair amphiphile. Stability of vesicles was secured by adding cholesterol with positively charged surfactant DODAC. Were selected vitamin A and vitamin E for solubilization into these vesicles. The next part of this work was focused on determining the efficiency of incorporation these vitamins into the HTMA-DS vesicular system. The characterization of these systems was improved by measurement on a UV-VIS spectrometer, DLS and by HPLC with UV-VIS detector. During measurement by UV-VIS and HPLC the efficiency of solubilization of vitamin A and vitamin E into vesicles was determinated. In both cases higher efficiency was determinated for vesicles with incorporated vitamin A. Higher efficiency for both vitamins was determinated by HPLC. The reason is probably the higher sensitivity of the metod, work in labs with dark glass and preparing individuals samples into vials, which were inserted into the device for individual dosing by injector. The work serves primary evaluation results in view of the vesicular system for use in pharmaceutical application like carrier non-polar vitamins.

Biological degradable polymers on a basis of renewable raw materials, such as polysaccharides, represent promising alternatives to synthetic polymers used as flocculant or stabilizing agents. Polysaccharides derived from potato starch and chitosan have been modified with benzyl- and the first one with additionally cationic hydroxypropyl-trimethylammonium groups of different degrees of substitution (DS). The aim of this work was to characterize the solution properties of these novel amphiphilic polysaccharides concerning the impact of their DS on charge density, particle size, dynamic surface tension and viscosity behaviour. The work is further focused on investigations on flocculation properties of these amphiphilic polyelectrolytes in dispersions of kaolin and silica to identify the interplay between charge density and hydrophobicity. Flocculation efficiency has been evaluated via joint analysis of charge density measurements (using polyelectrolyte titration), turbidity and TOC measurements, as well as dynamic surface tension measurements applying the drop profile analysis. Particle sizes and particle size distributions have been determined by dynamic light scattering and laser diffraction methods. In addition, these amphiphilic starch derivatives have been used to remove substances which impact negatively the paper production process when using recycled paper, so called stickies. Model suspensions have been studied using a multitude of different measurement techniques with the aim to predict a “sticky potential” and to reduce containing dissolved and colloidal substances such as micro stickies. The surface activity and viscometric behaviour have been studied of solely cationic and moderately and highly substituted, amphiphilic polysaccharides in salt-free and 0.05 M NaCl aqueous solution. For the first time dynamic surface tension measurement results have been correlated with particle sizes and apparent charge density. Rheological investigation of large concentration ranges (0.01–20 g/L) was used to discuss Huggins plots and typical polyelectrolyte behaviour for all polysaccharide derivatives could be found. Overlap concentration and, in dilute aqueous solution, intrinsic viscosity could be determined. For polysaccharide solution in dilute regime semi-empirical equations of Rao and Wolf have been applied, making it possible to get insights to polyelectrolyte conformation in dependence on the DS of both substituents. It is shown that for intrinsic viscosity a change of the impact of both substituents takes place when having derivatives with enhanced hydrophobicity. Data evaluation via the ratio of both DS values had been successfully utilized and thus, the applied method has been identified as being a promising tool to compare a multitude of starch derivatives with substituents of different polarity in various degrees of substitution to get tendencies regarding overall hydrophobicity. Moderate hydrophobic substitution was found to lead to a decrease of the efficient flocculant dose and to an increase of the flocculation window width. Amphiphilic starch derivatives with high DS of hydrophobic moieties showing strong hydrophobic association are effective only at significantly higher doses, but in a broader concentration range compared to cationic starch of the same DS. Joint analysis of adsorption isotherms and flocculation test data has revealed, that the surface coverage required to induce phase separation ranges between 10 and 25 % and is minimal for amphiphilic starch derivatives. This gave the evidence of the complex mechanism of flocculation via combination of electrostatic “charge patch” interactions and bridging. Concerning sticky reduction experiments by systematically studying the interactions between the novel amphiphilic starch derivatives and the model suspension it turned out, that dynamic surface tension is a very suitable property to characterize the surface active compounds in the model suspension giving additional information about the sticky potential of waste water, e.g. white water, being a new and sensitive method to describe the parameter “hydrophobicity”. Moderate cationic and hydrophobic starch derivatives have been proved to be the most effective ones for sticky removal.