Synthesis, characterisation and self-assembly studies of dendron-based novel non-ionic amphiphiles

Abstract

A new series of non-ionic amphiphiles have been synthesized using bio-based compounds, including polyglycerol dendrons of different generations with commercially available oleoyl chloride. The impact of the chemical structure of the hydrophilic head from the dendron is significant for the morphological structure of the micelles. Physiochemical investigation of the as-synthesised amphiphiles was performed using DLS, CMC, SEM and cryo-TEM to determine the morphological character of the as-formed micelles. The results reveal that the amphiphiles are capable of forming non-ionic amphiphilic micelles of different morphologies with different dendrons in liquid medium. The Critical Micelles Concentration (CMC) of non-ionic amphiphiles fall in the range of 31.0–1.5 μmol L⁻¹, which was determined by the IFT vs. concentration plot, and the size was within the nano-range.