title: Nanotubes from a vitamin C-based bolaamphiphile.
abstract: A bolaform surfactant, 1,12-diascorbyl dodecanedioate (BOLA12), with ascorbic acid units as the polar headgroups was synthesized for the first time. Once dispersed in water above 0.5% w/w, BOLA12 forms hollow nanotubes as revealed by cryo-TEM experiments. These nanostructures transform into clear micellar solutions on heating. X-ray diffraction and SAXS experiments were performed both on the pure solid and on its aqueous dispersions. The critical aggregation concentration and the phase behavior were determined by conductivity and DSC experiments. The latter technique provided also the amount of strongly bound, solvating water molecules that surround the polar headgroups. BOLA12 shows the same reducing properties of ascorbic acid, as indicated by the antioxidant activity evaluated with the DPPH method. This feature was used for the reduction of Pd(II) ions on the surface of the nanoassemblies, which lead to the formation of large bundles homogeneously coated with palladium as observed in SEM micrographs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and CSGI, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy.
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ambrosi
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fratini
authors.forename: Viveka
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alfredsson
authors.forename: Barry W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Ninham
authors.forename: Rodorico
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: Pierandrea
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lo Nostro
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baglioni
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: C521277:1,12-diascorbyl dodecanedioate; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water; D001205:Ascorbic Acid