title: Gemini surfactant electrospun membranes.
abstract: Our research demonstrates electrospun nonwoven fibrous scaffolds from a low molar mass gemini ammonium surfactant, N,N'-didodecyl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-N,N'-ethanediyldiammonium dibromide (12-2-12). Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and solution rheological experiments revealed micellar morphological transitions of 12-2-12 in water and water:methanol (1:1 vol). The microstructure of 12-2-12 in water transitioned from entangled, cylindrical, threadlike micelles to branched threadlike micelles, and a viscoelastic, entangled, highly branched network of threadlike micelles with increasing concentration finally formed. In sharp contrast, the solution behavior of 12-2-12 in water:methanol produced a drastically different micellar microstructure compared to that in water, and the morphology transitioned from partitioned, globular micelles to overlapped micelles at an overlap concentration (C*) of 11 wt %. Electrospinning 12-2-12 from water did not produce fibers at any concentration; however, electrospinning 12-2-12 in water:methanol at concentrations greater than 2C* produced hydrophilic continuous fibers with diameters ranging from 0.9 to 7 microm. High surface area scaffolds with hydrophilic surfaces offer potential as charged controlled-release membranes, tissue engineering scaffolds, and coatings for biologically compatible devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Virginia Tech (0212), Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cashion
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hunley
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012997:Solvents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water; D000432:Methanol