#44: NMR Analysis of Micelle Formation by Bio-Based Surfactants — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

#44: NMR Analysis of Micelle Formation by Bio-Based Surfactants

Name: Robert Rauscher
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Avondale, Pa
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: NSF-RUI

Abstract

Biocompatible surfactants are green alternatives to the molecules used in many commercial products. In this project, NMR spectroscopy was used to study the physical properties of a bio-based surfactant with a Glutamic Acid headgroup. The properties investigated were the ionizable protons’ pK_a values, the mole fraction of micelle bound diamine counterions, and the micelle radii. Changes in the latter two properties with solution pH were also investigated. Molecular modeling experiments were performed as well. Research showed that intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds affected the surfactants’ pK_a values. Furthermore, micelles were larger when the surfactant charge was -1 and smaller when the charge was -2. Finally, changes in surfactant charge with pH also affected the micelle-binding of counterions, with stronger counterion binding occurring when the surfactant charge was -2.

Poster file