Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.4
4.2
Journals
Molecules
Special Issues
Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition
molecules-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Molecules Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 3720

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Plamen Tchoukov

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: emulsion and foams; thin liquid films; interfacial and bulk rheology; heavy crude oil; petroleum emulsions; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of thin film; self-assembly
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Khristo Khristov

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Science, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: emulsion and foams; thin liquid films; interfacial and bulk rheology; heavy crude oil; petroleum emulsions; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of thin film; self-assembly
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Colloids, such as emulsions, foams, sols, and gels, play an integral role in living organisms, the natural environment, resource extraction, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, processing industries, and almost all aspects of our everyday life. To a large extent, colloid stability and functionality are defined by the properties of interfaces between dispersed and continuous phases and by the surface forces acting at the micro- and nanoscale levels. It is the amphiphilic molecules that are capable of altering colloidal system properties, thus changing overall system behavior. This is why a comprehensive understanding of amphiphile molecular structure and the respective interactions taking place at the interfaces ensures effective control over colloidal system properties. For this Special Issue, we welcome contributions that highlight the relation between amphiphile molecular structure, self-assembly in solutions, molecular arrangements at interfaces, specific interactions at the micro- and nanoscale, and the properties displayed by colloidal systems. Suitable research will span from fundamental studies on the physicochemical behavior of colloidal systems to the design of innovative solutions for practical applications.

Dr. Plamen Tchoukov
Dr. Khristo Khristov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emulsions
  • foams
  • sols
  • gels
  • amphiphilic molecules
  • self-assembled structures
  • phase behavior
  • surface forces
  • intermolecular forces
  • adsorption
  • rheology
  • design of functionalized colloids
  • thin liquid films

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

14 pages, 1550 KiB  
Article
The Properties of the Monolayers of Sorbitan Lipids as Informative Factors on the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance Value of Their Mixtures, Proposed for Dermatological Applications
by Remigiusz Zapolski, Monika Gasztych, Beata Jastrząb-Miśkiewicz, Alina Jankowska-Konsur and Witold Musiał
Molecules 2025, 30(8), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30081841 - 19 Apr 2025
Viewed by 155
Abstract
This study investigates the correlation between the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values and the π–A isotherm parameters of surfactant monolayers composed of sorbitan esters, specifically sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan sesquioleate. The surfactant mixtures were prepared, and their π-A isotherms were [...] Read more.
This study investigates the correlation between the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values and the π–A isotherm parameters of surfactant monolayers composed of sorbitan esters, specifically sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan sesquioleate. The surfactant mixtures were prepared, and their π-A isotherms were recorded. The HLB values calculated for each mixture were in the range 2.10–6.70. The HLB values were compared to compression parameters, including the ratios of the slopes and the ratios of the intercepts, which were between 0.19 and 4.00 and between 0.64 and 1.77, respectively, across the monolayer compression stages. The findings indicate a significant relationship between HLB values and isotherm parameters, particularly for systems with sorbitan monooleate and sorbitan sesquioleate. A value of determination coefficient of 0.95 was found for the linear equation representing the slope ratios as a function of HLB, whereas the intercept ratios, as a linear function of HLB, gave a lower value of 0.71. The results allow for the use of the π–A Langmuir isotherm to experimentally estimate the value of the HLB in mixtures of the sorbitol esters of fatty acids, whose value is an important parameter in the selection of optimized topical and transdermal formulations, highlighting the specific formulations that enhance active substance delivery while minimizing skin irritation potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4741 KiB  
Article
Cleansing Mechanisms and Efficacy on Artificial Skin
by Tatiana Slavova, Rumyana Stanimirova, Krastanka Marinova and Krassimir Danov
Molecules 2025, 30(8), 1813; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30081813 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 128
Abstract
A systematic study on the mechanisms of cleansing artificial skin by solutions of widely used in personal care surfactants disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (DSLSS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), and coco glucoside (CG), is presented. The [...] Read more.
A systematic study on the mechanisms of cleansing artificial skin by solutions of widely used in personal care surfactants disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (DSLSS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), and coco glucoside (CG), is presented. The systematic characterization of soil removal from artificial skin revealed two primary cleansing mechanisms: emulsification and roll-up. Emulsification occurs in systems with very low interfacial tension, such as sebum in SLES solutions, while dimethicone soil was only removed by roll-up. The roll-up effectiveness depends on the surfactant’s interfacial activity and its adsorption on the soiled surface. Thus, the strong adsorption of DTAB on the skin leads to dimethicone roll-up at a relatively high interfacial tension of 11 mN/m. The anionic and nonionic surfactants adsorbed less at the artificial skin surface, and the oil/water interfacial tension value lowering below 5 mN/m is necessary for the roll-up to occur. Nonionic CG removed dimethicone at a lower concentration than ionic surfactants. Combining CG with ionic surfactants improved cleaning at lower total concentrations. Surfactant mixtures are used to formulate simple cleansing formulations, whose performance is also investigated by the developed in vitro approach. The results obtained allow for a good rating of the formulations, which correlates well with the performance of the surfactant mixtures and their interfacial activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5206 KiB  
Article
Stabilisation of Nanosilver Supramolecular Hydrogels with Trisodium Citrate
by Joanna Kowalczuk, Oleg M. Demchuk, Mariusz Borkowski and Michał Bielejewski
Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071613 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 258
Abstract
Designing supramolecular gelators with targeted properties is very difficult and mainly relies on structural modifications of known gelator molecules. However, very often, even minor modifications can result in the complete loss of gelation capabilities. In the present work, we have studied the influence [...] Read more.
Designing supramolecular gelators with targeted properties is very difficult and mainly relies on structural modifications of known gelator molecules. However, very often, even minor modifications can result in the complete loss of gelation capabilities. In the present work, we have studied the influence and role of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and trisodium citrate (TSC) additives on the self-assembly process of alanine derivative gelator (C12Ala) and intermolecular interactions resulting in hydrogel systems of enhanced stability and sustainability. The effect of phase separation and diversity of supramolecular microstructures of gelator internal matrix on the composition of the investigated tricomponent system was studied thoroughly with thermal analysis methods (TGA/DSC), high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MAS NMR), and polarising optical microscopy (POM). The molecular mechanism of gelation and the interactions responsible for enhanced properties of nanosilver hydrogels was determined and described, indicating the synergistic role of TSC and AgNPs in the self-assembly process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 5561 KiB  
Article
Yeast Viability in HLD–NAC-Designed Fully Dilutable Lecithin-Linker Microemulsions
by Juan Doratt Mendoza, Jingwen Ding, Michelle Acosta Alvarez and Edgar Acosta
Molecules 2025, 30(4), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30040921 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 512
Abstract
Using microemulsions (µEs) as preservation media for cells was pursued in the 1990s; however, the difficulty in formulating biocompatible µEs and keeping unacclimatized cells alive for more than three days hindered developments in this area. This work explores the use of fully dilutable [...] Read more.
Using microemulsions (µEs) as preservation media for cells was pursued in the 1990s; however, the difficulty in formulating biocompatible µEs and keeping unacclimatized cells alive for more than three days hindered developments in this area. This work explores the use of fully dilutable self-microemulsifying delivery systems (SMEDS) formulated with lecithin (Le) and polyglycerol-10-caprylate (PG10C) at a ratio of 2/5. This surfactant blend was mixed with ethyl oleate (EOL) at a ratio of 60 surfactant/40 EOL to produce a D60 dilution line. This D60 SMEDS was diluted with 0.9% w/v NaCl solution to produce lecithin-linker µEs (LLMs). The properties of the resulting LLMs were predicted using the hydrophilic–lipophilic-difference (HLD) and net-average curvature (NAC) model, indicating that LLMs with aqueous content from 5% to 60% are bicontinuous, confirmed via viscosity and conductivity. The largest yeast activity and viability obtained with LLMs were achieved with 30% aqueous content, resulting from the balance between having enough water for the effective transport of metabolites, enough SMEDS to contribute nutrients and lipids, and a low enough water to limit the partition of PG10C that, when present in the aqueous phase, inhibited yeast activity. For SMEDS, its low water activity ensured that the yeast remained dormant, keeping them alive for at least 10 weeks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1726 KiB  
Article
Charge Regulation in Liquid Films Stabilized by Ionic Surfactants: Change in Adsorption with Film Thickness and Phase Transitions
by Iglika M. Dimitrova and Radomir I. Slavchov
Molecules 2025, 30(3), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30030659 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 756
Abstract
When a liquid film is thinning, the charge and the potential of its surfaces change simultaneously due to the interaction between the two surfaces. This phenomenon is an example for charge regulation and has been known for half a century for systems featuring [...] Read more.
When a liquid film is thinning, the charge and the potential of its surfaces change simultaneously due to the interaction between the two surfaces. This phenomenon is an example for charge regulation and has been known for half a century for systems featuring aqueous solutions in contact with metals, salts, biological surfaces covered by protolytes, etc. Few studies, however, investigated regulation in foam and emulsion films, where the charge is carried by soluble ionic surfactants. This work presents an analysis of the phenomenon for surfactants that follow the classical Davies adsorption isotherm. The electrostatic disjoining pressure Πel was analyzed, and the Davies isotherm was shown to lead to Πel ∝ h−1/2 behavior at a small film thickness h. As usual, the charge regulation regime (constant chemical potential of the surfactant) corresponded to a dependence of Πel on h between those for constant charge and constant electric potential regimes. The role of the background electrolyte was also studied. At the water–air interface, many ionic surfactants exhibit a surface phase transition. We show that the interaction between the two surfaces of a foam film can trigger the phase transition (i.e., the film changes its charge abruptly), and two films of different h values can coexist in equilibrium with each other—one covered by surfactant in the 2D gaseous state and another in the 2D liquid state. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2662 KiB  
Article
Insight into Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized by Cross-Linked and Pregelatinized Starches: The Effect of Molecular Structure, Surface Activity and Proton Molecular Dynamics
by Joanna Le Thanh-Blicharz, Jacek Lewandowicz, Artur Szwengiel, Krystyna Prochaska, Hanna Maria Baranowska and Grażyna Lewandowicz
Molecules 2024, 29(23), 5626; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235626 - 28 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 844
Abstract
Effective formation and stabilisation of emulsions while meeting high consumer requirements, including the so-called green label, is still a technological challenge. This is related to the multitude of emulsion destabilization mechanisms and the vastness of methods used to study them, which implies the [...] Read more.
Effective formation and stabilisation of emulsions while meeting high consumer requirements, including the so-called green label, is still a technological challenge. This is related to the multitude of emulsion destabilization mechanisms and the vastness of methods used to study them, which implies the need to develop an understanding of the phenomena occurring in emulsions. Commercial starch preparations obtained by physical and chemical modification were used to prepare model emulsions that were studied in terms of their stability. Native potato starch was the reference material. The analytical methods used included rheology, low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF NMR), size exclusion chromatography with triple detection (SEC), and surface/interfacial tension measurements. The results showed that chemical and physical modification improved the functionality of starch in emulsions. This is due to not only chemical but also physical modifications, i.e., pregelatinization causes changes in the molecular structure of starch, including an increase in the molecular weight and the degree of branching. As a consequence, the conformation of starch macromolecules changes, which results in a change of the dynamics of protons in the continuous phase of the emulsion and the thermodynamics of starch adsorption at the water/oil interface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 4269 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Optical Properties of Carotenoid-Based Nanoparticles: The Role of Terminal Groups
by Ryuju Suzuki, Keigo Kinoshita, Takeshi Miuchi, Masayuki Nishino, Yasuhiro Shimizu and Shigeru Deguchi
Molecules 2024, 29(22), 5456; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29225456 - 19 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 914
Abstract
Carotenoids are increasingly used as naturally occurring food colorants. For application as beverage colorants, fat-soluble carotenoids are formulated into dispersion systems via nanoparticle (NP) formation. In recent years, the antioxidant properties of carotenoids have gained immense recognition for their preventive health benefits, thereby [...] Read more.
Carotenoids are increasingly used as naturally occurring food colorants. For application as beverage colorants, fat-soluble carotenoids are formulated into dispersion systems via nanoparticle (NP) formation. In recent years, the antioxidant properties of carotenoids have gained immense recognition for their preventive health benefits, thereby highlighting further interest in their development as functional food ingredients. Although functional carotenoids in dispersion-based formulations are desirable, knowledge regarding the structural and optical properties of NPs of carotenoids other than those of β-carotene, and methods to efficiently produce and compare NPs of various carotenoids, remain scarce. In this study, NPs of β-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, and lutein were prepared using a simple reprecipitation method, with a focus on understanding the variations in the molecular self-assembly influenced by the quality of solvent used during reprecipitation. This study presents the novel finding that the terminal groups of carotenoids significantly affect the intermolecular interactions, thereby altering the structural and optical properties of the resulting NPs. Our findings are expected to contribute to the development of new technologies for controlling the color of carotenoids based on the crystal structure of the NPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amphiphilic Molecules, Interfaces and Colloids: 2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop