Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the principal structural and dynamics characteristics of reverse micelles (RMs) in order to highlight their structural flexibility and versatility, along with the possibility to modulate their parameters in a controlled manner. The multifunctionality in a large range of different scientific fields is exemplified in two distinct directions: a theoretical model for mimicry of the biological microenvironment and practical application in the field of nanotechnology and nano-based sensors. RMs represent a convenient experimental approach that limits the drawbacks of the conventionally biological studies in vitro, while the particular structure confers them the status of simplified mimics of cells by reproducing a complex supramolecular organization in an artificial system. The biological relevance of RMs is discussed in some particular cases referring to confinement and a crowded environment, as well as the molecular dynamics of water and a cell membrane structure. The use of RMs in a range of applications seems to be more promising due to their structural and compositional flexibility, high efficiency, and selectivity. Advances in nanotechnology are based on developing new methods of nanomaterial synthesis and deposition. This review highlights the advantages of using RMs in the synthesis of nanoparticles with specific properties and in nano (bio)sensor design.
Highlights
A wide variety of biochemical events, from macromolecular recognition to biocatalysis associated [1] with biological systems, e.g., lipid layers, membranous organelles, and the interior of macromolecular chaperons [2], take place in nano-restricted environments delimited by membranes such as cells and/or cellular compartments [3]
The aim of the present review was to demonstrate the unusual versatility of reverse micelles, whereby the same structure has a multifunctional contribution to distinct and totally different scientific fields and diametrically opposed applications, namely, cell theoretical models and newly developed methods for advanced and modern nano-biotechnology
Each exemplified direction was supported by the following specific characteristics: (i) the biological relevance as a function of the interfacial parameters of the surfactant film, the microheterogeneity of the intramicellar structure, the multilayered composition of water, and the redefinition of the pH concept for size-limited systems; (ii) nanomaterial synthesis as a function of reverse micelle formation, composition of the interfacial layer, and experimental significance of the intramicellar pH
Summary
A wide variety of biochemical events, from macromolecular recognition to biocatalysis associated [1] with biological systems, e.g., lipid layers, membranous organelles, and the interior of macromolecular chaperons [2], take place in nano-restricted environments delimited by membranes such as cells and/or cellular compartments [3]. The target of the present review is to demonstrate the unusual versatility of reverse micelles; the same structure has a multifunctional contribution to distinct and totally different scientific fields and diametrically opposed applications, from cell theoretical models to the new and modern nano (bio)technology Each one of these directions is basically supported by the specific characteristics of reverse micelles, such as the interfacial parameters of the surfactant film, microheterogeneity of the intramicellar structure, multilayered composition of water, redefinition of the pH concept for size-limited systems in the case of biological relevance, mechanisms of reverse micelle formation, composition of the interfacial layer, and experimental significance of intramicellar structure or size for nanomaterial synthesis. Reverse micelles represent a special and distinctive case in the microemulsion domain or colloidal science, and they have the important experimental advantage of allowing advanced study of their structure using any known investigative methods, such as spectrometric methods
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