Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Research Articles

Cationic comb-type copolymer as an artificial chaperone

Accurate folding of biopolymers and assembly of complexes containing these molecules are essential for biological activities. We designed cationic comb-type copolymers that act as an artificial chaperone to assist in the folding of biopolymers such as nucleic acids and peptides. The copolymers consist of a polycation backbone grafted with a high density of hydrophilic chains that allow the formation of soluble and soft interpolyelectrolyte complexes between the copolymer and oppositely charged biopolymers. The copolymers can chaperone DNA assembly into duplex, triplex, and quadruplex structures and accelerate strand exchange reactions while stabilizing DNA complexes. This chaperone activity of the copolymer is useful in nucleic acid-based nanotechnological applications such as DNA nanomachines, DNA logic gates, and DNA enzymes. The cationic comb-type copolymers also assisted in the folding of functional peptides. The basic E5 peptide folds into an alpha-helical structure and exhibits a stronger membrane-disrupting activity in the presence of the copolymer than in its absence. The cationic comb-type copolymers, as an artificial chaperone, were shown to be beneficial for enhancing the functions and facilitating the application of biopolymers in nanotechnology and medicine. The cationic comb-type copolymers, which consisted of a polycation backbone grafted with high density of hydrophilic chains, form soluble and soft interpolyelectrolyte complexes with biopolymers and act as an artificial chaperone to assist in the folding of nucleic acids and peptides. The copolymers stabilize DNA duplex, triplex, and quadruplex structures and accelerate strand exchange reactions as well as assist in the folding of functional peptides into the active conformation.

Formation of the structure of interpolyelectrolyte complex in solid state: Role of comb-like amphiphilic polyelectrolyte

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) were obtained from linear polyanion poly (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (pAMPS) and comb-like polycation poly(11-acryloyloxyundecyltrimethylammonium) bromide (pAUTA-Br) using different strategies comprising of mixing polyelectrolyte solutions in homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions and the polymerization of ionic monomer in the presence of opposite-charged polyelectrolyte. The supramolecular structure of IPEC in a solid state was studied by SAXD. The hexagonal or cubic order was revealed by IPEC obtained in different conditions. The lattice unit cell size appeared to be dependent on the solvent thermodynamic quality of the used polymers. These structures are pre-formed in solutions of comb-like self-organized components and fixed in a solid state in the course of kinetically driven IPEC formation.

Radiation-induced preparation of metal nanostructures in coatings of interpolyelectrolyte complexes

Copper, silver and gold nanoparticles were obtained by reduction of metal ions under X-ray irradiation of “layer-by-layer” (LbL) coatings in a water-alcohol medium. The precursors for metal polymer composites (metallopolymer complexes) were prepared by sorption of metal ions in polyethyleneimine - poly (styrenesulfonic acid) and polyethyleneimine - poly (acrylic acid) coatings deposited on cotton fibers. EPR spectroscopy was use to characterize the complexation of metal ions in coatings with different chemical structure and variable number of polyanion-polycation layers. The effect of coating structure and thickness on the size and stability of nanoparticles was studied using TEM and microdiffraction measurements. Antibacterial activity was found for composites containing silver nanoparticles.

Structure and electrophysical properties of carbogels based on the interpolyelectrolyte complex lignosulfonate - chitosan with various composition

Abstract The new approach to the synthesis of highly porous polyfunctional nanomaterials with “fullerene-like” morphology was shown. Obtained materials have developed micro- (mainly supermicropores) and mesoporous structure, narrow particle size distribution (particle size of 35–60 nm), low content of minor elements (metal and sulfur), having electrically conductive properties. The supramolecular systems (interpolyelectrolyte complex) formed by the self-assembly and molecular recognition of two biopolymers with various structural organizations were used as a precursor. The interpolyelectrolyte complex was prepared by mixing of the dendritic-like polyelectrolyte lignosulfonate and the linear polysaccharide chitosan with different molar ratios. The idea of this research consists in the sequential combination of interpolymer complexation, supercritical fluid treatment and high-temperature carbonization. New carbon materials contain up to 91.5% of carbon and nitrogen content is up to 6.9%. Organic sulfur is removed from the samples as volatile compounds during carbonation. Metal ions (K+, Na+, Li+) and nitrogen compounds embedded in the structure of aerogels at the stage of complex formation change the structure. It leads to improve the porous structure and allows to obtain the carbogels with the high total pore volume (up to 0.51 cm3 g−1), average pore width (up to 4.6 nm) and specific surface area up to 465 m2 g−1. The maximum specific surface area of the carbogels is formed in the slow pyrolysis mode at the temperature of 600 °C for carbogels based on interpolyelectrolyte complex lignosulfonate-chitosan with Z = 1.4. The size of the cation in the composition of lignosulfonate does not affect the size distribution of micropores (supermicropores) of the carbogel, however, the presence of an alkali metal cation in the structure leads to an increase in the volume of micropores, the total pore volume and the average pore width. It was shown that new carbon nanomaterials have a specific electrical conductivity of the order of 10−4 S m−1 and possess electrically conductive properties. Electrophysical properties of carbogels directly depend on their molar composition. The specific electrical conductivity of carbogels based on interpolyelectrolyte complex with an excess of chitosan (Z = 1.4) in the composition is in five times higher than for the carbogels based on stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complex (Z = 1). Carbon nanomaterials are promising for practical use as electrically conductive dispersed particles in small-sized nanoelectronics devices.

Cationic Copolymers Act As Chaperones of a Membrane-Active Peptide: Influence on Membrane Selectivity.

Membrane-active peptides have potential as drug delivery tools for control of lipid bilayer structures in cells and liposomes. In a previous study, we reported that a cationic comb-type copolymer, poly(allylamine)-graft-dextran (PAA-g-Dex), forms a soluble interpolyelectrolyte complex with an anionic peptide, E5, and enhances its membrane-disrupting activity. Furthermore, the E5/PAA-g-Dex complex augments the cellular membrane permeability of other proteins. In this study, the affinities of the E5/PAA-g-Dex complex for lipid membranes with various compositions were determined. Secondary structure analysis of E5 and analyses of binding of E5 to liposomes revealed that lipid composition strongly influenced the interaction. No significant folding of E5 alone was observed at either pH 5.4 or pH 7.4 and folding into the functional conformation, which is both N-terminal and C-terminal helix, was observed only at pH 5.4 in the presence of liposomes having liquid-disordered phase (Ld). PAA-g-Dex induced partial folding of E5, presumably at C-terminus, at both pH 5.4 and pH 7.4. Folding of E5 into the functional structure was induced by the addition of liposomes having Ld phases at either pH 5.4 or pH 7.4. A leakage assay showed that PAA-g-Dex enhanced the membrane-permeabilizing activity of E5 by promoting the adsorption of E5 onto the surface of liposomes and/or E5 association with the lipid bilayer. These results indicated that E5 activated by PAA-g-Dex destabilizes the lipid membrane having Ld phase even when the lipid membrane has a heterogeneous phase separated structure. Hence, PAA-g-Dex serves as a chaperone for E5 without altering its membrane selectivity. The chaperoning activity of this comb-type copolymer may activate other ionic peptides with unstable structures and low solubility.

From green chemistry and nature-like technologies towards ecoadaptive chemistry and technology

Abstract Nature-like technologies can be considered as a logical development of green chemistry principles implemented to design novel materials and processes aimed at mimicking and reproducing natural life-sustaining mechanisms on molecular level. Humic substances which penetrate throughout the entire environment and represent from 50 to 90% of organic matter in soil and water ecosystems, play multiple life-sustaining functions on Earth. To name a few, HS regulate transport and availability of biogenic elements to plants, immobilize and mitigate toxicity of hazardous elements in the contaminated ecosystems, protect plants from non-specific abiotic stresses, play key role for fertility of soils determining water-retention and structure. Here we represent a novel platform for nature-inspired synthesis of soft and hybrid (nano)materials aimed at their use for soil and water clean up, carbon sequestration, soil fertility restoration. It is based on a smart use of natural hyperbranched polyelectrolytes – humic substances, which possess multiple functional groups including carboxyl, hydroxyl, amide, and others. Multiple functional groups of HS make them amenable both for classical chemical modification as well as for producing interpolyelectrolyte complexes. In this work, we present both approaches for manufacturing silicon-containing humic derivatives and supramolecular complexes with acquired new property – self-adhesion to both inorganic and bio-surfaces. The synthesis is conducted using humic materials from different sources and functional organosilanes. Self-assembly of the supramolecular silicon-humic systems occurs with formation of humic-silsesquioxane networks capable to adhere to mineral surfaces. This process is similar to immobilization of organic coatings to mineral surfaces. We have shown how this process can be realized in the ground waters for the purposes of the environmental clean up. We have also proposed to use the silicon-humic complexes for improving humus content of soils and for reconstructing soil restoration processes both in the lab and in the field. Another field of our research is synthesis of iron-containing humics-stabilized nanoparticles (NPs), which can be used as a source for plants nutrition instead of synthetic iron chelates. The idea is based on the natural phenomenon that in soils, water-stable sols of iron-containing NPs are formed due to complexing with HS, which can bind large amounts of poorly ordered iron (hydr)oxides providing for stabilization of colloidal iron in the form of NPs. It has been numerously shown that the presence of HS improves iron acquisition by plants in soils, but there was no systematic study so far with respect to a relationship between size and crystallinity of humics-stabilized iron-containing NPs and their availability to plants. We have conducted such a study and could establish conditions when humics-stabilized NPs could be taken up by plants with similar efficiency as FeEDTA. The presented data demonstrate good prospects for a use of green humics-based materials in nature-like technologies. We also hope that these studies will give rise to new branch of chemistry and technology which can be called ecoadaptive chemistry and technology.

Pervaporation Membranes Based on Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes of an Aromatic Copolyamide Containing Sulfonate and Carboxy Groups

Film membranes were prepared from interpolyelectrolyte complexes of various aliphatic polyamines with a copolyamide synthesized from isophthalic dichloride and two diamines: disodium 4,4′-diaminobiphenyl-2,2′-disulfonate and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid. The mechanical and sorption properties of the membranes and their performance in pervaporation separation of the water-isopropanol mixture were studied. The possibility of thermal cross-linking of the materials was demonstrated. The effect of the amidation on the physicochemical and mass-exchange properties of the film samples was examined. The variation of the separation characteristics of the membranes depending on the copolyamide composition was considered. With respect to the combination of separation and transport properties, the interpolymer systems containing the copolyimide with low (7 mol %) content of units with carboxy groups are of most interest. An increase in the fraction of carboxyl-containing units in the polyanion leads to an increase in the permeability of the materials with a significant decrease in their selectivity. The tensile strength of the film samples prepared from copolyamide-containing interpolyelectrolyte complexes is 54–92 MPa.

Features of the Formation of Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Based on Chitosan and Pectin

Conditions for the preparation of stable to sedimentation aqueous dispersions of interpolyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan (Chit) and pectin (Pect) with particle diameter 0.5-0.9 μm for Pect/Chit and 1.0-2.0 μm for Chit/Pect have been determined. The absolute value of the zeta potential of these complexes is >10 mV for Pect/Chit and Chit/Pect when the molar ratio of the ionogenic groups of the polymers $$ {n}_{\mathrm{COOH}}/{n}_{{\mathrm{NH}}_2} $$ is 0.4-4.6 for Pect/Chit and 0.02-0.63 for Chit/Pect. Optical spectroscopy and electrophoretic light scattering have been used to determine the effect of molecular mass and the content of the free ionogenic groups in the polysaccharide macromolecules as well as the order of mixing the solution on the formation and properties of these interpolyelectrolyte complexes.

Humics‐based interpolyelectrolyte complexes for antierosion protection of soil: Model investigation

AbstractThe aim of this article is to demonstrate a novel polymer‐based technique for stabilization of soil against wind and water erosion. Conventional approaches deal with individual water‐soluble polymers, which, being deposited on the soil, are removed from the soil surface after rewatering. Here, we describe an elegant way for soil stabilization via deposition of interpolyelectrolyte complexes formed by two oppositely charged water‐soluble polymers. Electrostatic complexation in an aqueous solution of a cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) with an excess of water‐soluble anionic biopolymers, humic acids, results in formation of a negative non‐stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complex (NIPEC). Upon deposition of a NIPEC aqueous solution over soil and drying out, a protective layer (crust) forms on the surface, composed of NIPEC and soil particles, resistant to wind and water erosion. After destruction, the crust is completely restored by rewatering. The high stability of the NIPEC‐soil crust is due to a NIPEC block structure with hydrophilic free anionic units and hydrophobic mutually neutralized anionic/cationic units, which ensures optimum adsorption on the surface of soil particles and binds them to bigger aggregates. The NIPEC treatment retains the porous structure of soil that favors seed germination and plant development. Being effective absorbent of heavy metals, the NIPEC formulation ensures a normal seed germination in the presence of toxic Cu2+ ions. Thus, the humics‐based NIPECs ensures antierosion protection and detoxification of soil. Additionally to ecological and agricultural applications, the NIPEC formulations have potential for immobilization of moving sands, conservation of mining dumps, treatment of road slopes, and so forth.

Fluorine-containing block/branched polyamphiphiles forming bioinspired complexes with biopolymers.

Colloidal-chemical characteristics of block/branched cationic and non-ionic polyamphiphiles containing poly(fluorine-alkyl methacrylate) (poly(FMA)) block and their intermolecular complexes with biopolymers were studied. The dependences of their surface activity and micelle size on the length of hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks, as well as the length of side fluorine-alkyl branches were established. Poly(FMA)-block-poly(DMAEMA) was used for formation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA) via their electrostatic interaction. Novel non-viral polyplexes were tested as gene delivery systems for mammalian cells. The results of DLS, TEM and MALDI-ToF studies demonstrated disaggregation of lysozyme (LYZ) aggregates in the presence of poly(FMA)-block-poly(NVP) and formation of the polyamphiphile…LYS complex possessing antibacterial action.

Intra- and Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes of Polyampholytes.

At present, a large amount of research from experimental and theoretical points of view has been done on interpolyelectrolyte complexes formed by electrostatic attractive forces and/or interpolymer complexes stabilized by hydrogen bonds. By contrast, relatively less attention has been given to polymer–polymer complex formation with synthetic polyampholytes (PA). In this review the complexation of polyampholytes with polyelectrolytes (PE) is considered from theoretical and application points of view. Formation of intra- and interpolyelectrolyte complexes of random, regular, block, dendritic polyampholytes are outlined. A separate subsection is devoted to amphoteric behavior of interpolyelectrolyte complexes. The realization of the so-called “isoelectric effect” for interpolyelectrolyte complexes of water-soluble polyampholytes, amphoteric hydrogels and cryogels with respect to surfactants, dye molecules, polyelectrolytes and proteins is demonstrated.

Superparamagnetic magnetite/IPEC particles

Hybrid magnetic composites are materials with great potential for use in biomedicine and effluent treatments, as their organic phase may be used in the adsorption/release of pollutants/drugs and their magnetic properties for separation/transport of particulate systems based on these materials. In this work we obtained magnetic composite particles made of magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in a polymeric matrix resultant from the formation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate). Non-stoichiometric positive and negatively charged interpolyelectrolyte complexes were obtained and characterized via thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potentiometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The samples obtained in this work showed that nanometric magnetite was incorporated to these systems and that the resultant composites were superparamagnetic. Preliminary tests showed that the composites may be used both in the sorption of cationic and anionic drugs.

Packaging pDNA by Polymeric ABC Micelles Simultaneously Achieves Colloidal Stability and Structural Control.

Compaction of DNA by oppositely charged nanoparticles is a fundamental phenomenon in nature and of great interest to developing therapeutics. In addition, the ability to orthogonally control the composition and structure of interpolyelectrolyte complexes is needed to develop materials for diverse applications. Herein, we systematically investigate the complexation of plasmid DNA and polymeric cationic AB and ABC micelles to explore the influence of micelle outer nonionic corona length on the colloidal stability, size, composition, and structure of the resulting "micelleplexes". The micelles were self-assembled from amphiphilic block polymers, poly(ethylene glycol)- block-poly((2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)- block-poly( n-butyl methacrylate) (PEG- b-PDMAEMA- b-PnBMA), and PDMAEMA- b-PnBMA with the same Mn of PDMAEMA. These spherical micelles have similar hydrodynamic radii and core sizes, but the Mn of the outer PEG block ranged from 0 to 10 kDa. The colloidal stability of micelleplexes as a function of stoichiometric charge ratio was assessed by turbidimetric titration and was found to dramatically improve with the addition of an outer PEG corona, even as short as 2 kDa. With the use of a combination of dynamic and static light scattering, ζ-potential, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, it was found that the size, composition, and structure of micelleplexes are closely correlated with the Mn of the PEG block. Indeed, these micelleplexes were found to adopt beads-on-a-string morphologies that resemble the general structure of chromatin, and the number of micelles per micelleplex systematically decreased with increasing PEG length. These findings demonstrate the power of polycationic micelles to condense DNA into biomimetic structures and provide a mechanistic understanding of nucleic acid complexation and of how micelle architecture affects the properties of micelleplexes, while offering an appealing strategy to control the properties of micelleplexes by tuning a single parameter.

Carbon nanomaterials based on interpolyelectrolyte complex lignosulfonate-chitosan

Abstract A new approach to the formation of “fullerene-like” carbon-nitrogen carbogels based on the interpolyelectrolyte complex lignosulfonate-chitosan (IPEC LSNa-CT) was developed. It was established that carbogel maintained the morphology of the precursor complex, i.e. the spherical geometry and the particle size of its main fractions (40–55 nm) were stored in the carbonizate. The influence of pyrolysis (Py) temperature was studied in the range of 500–1000°C on the structure of carbonizate. Carbogels obtained under different processing conditions have a well-developed microporous structure. The specific surface area of carbogels reduced with increasing Py temperature according to their nitrogen content. The maximum specific surface area (438.3 m2 g−1) corresponds to the carbogel obtained at 600°C, while the maximum nitrogen content of this sample is 4.4%. The internal porosity of the material and the volume of supermicropores are reduced with increasing Py temperature due to the accumulation of double and triple carbon bonds in the carbogel. Apparently, the structure-forming N-atoms participate in the formation of condensed nitrogen-containing and cyclic structures as a donor of the electron pair and as such they accelerate the carbonization process.

Specific Features of the Formation of Aqueous Nanodispersions of Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes based of Chitosan and Chitosan Succinamide

Aqueous dispersion of particles of interpolyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan hydrochloride and sodium salt of chitosan succinamide have been prepared and characterized. The size of the complex particles and the system stability are affected by the concentration of the polymers in the solution and the molar ratio of the components. In the studied disperse systems, steady aggregation of the particles has led to the precipitation of the insoluble complex, and the relative stability of the systems against aggregation has increased with the increase in the fraction of the lower-molecular component and concentration of the polymers in the solution.

A pH-responsive drug delivery matrix from an interpolyelectrolyte complex: preparation and pharmacotechnical properties

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes, which constitute a type of polymeric material obtained through the self-assembly of oppositely charged polymers, exhibit interesting properties for use in the design of smart matrices for drug delivery. In the present study, a stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complex (SIPEC) composed of Eudragit E® and Eudragit® L100 was obtained at pH 6.0 and characterized and evaluated as a hydrophilic matrix for dexibuprofen. The formation of a SIPEC was monitored by ζ-potential measurements and characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that a SIPEC obtained under these conditions can be used as a matrix for controlling the release of dexibuprofen and exhibit a pH-triggered release.

A pH-responsive drug delivery matrix from an interpolyelectrolyte complex

A pH-responsive drug delivery matrix from an interpolyelectrolyte complex

INTERPOLYELECTROLYTE COMPLEXATION OF SULFONATE-CONTAINING AROMATIC POLY- AND COPOLYAMIDES IN ORGANIC AND AQUEOUS-ORGANIC MEDIA

Complex formation of sulfonate-containing aromatic poly- and copolyamides with copolymers of acrylonitrile with N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride and N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate was studied in organic and aqueous-organic media. The values of conversion degree for interpolymer reactions were determined. At optimal conditions in the presence of poly-4,4'-(2-sodium sulfonate)diphenylaminoisophthalamide and poly-4,4'-(2-sodium sulfonate)diphenylaminoterephthalamide the degree of conversion was equal to ~0.80 and 0.78, respectively. The reduction of number of sulfonate containing units in the polymer chain to 10% leads to its decrease to ~0.18. It was shown that the nature and composition of the solvent affects the kinetics of interpolymer reactions due to the different ratio of reaggregation during the interacting of function groups in water medium with considerable force of hydrophobic interactions and in organic solvent where these forces dramatically reduce. The phase state and the composition of formed interpolyelectrolyte complexes depends on charge density along macromolecule chain of copolyamide and on the composition of the solvent used. The reduction of the number of sulfonate containing units in the macromolecule leads to polycation component increase in the complex. The formation of stoichiometric interpoly-electrolyte complexes takes place in the solvent with the same composition as that when the most significant unfolding of the polyanion chain was observed. The phase separation during the complex formation by the interpolymer reaction with copolyamide containing 5% of units with sulfonate groups or copolymer of acrylonitrile with N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate is not observed.

(Invited) A Thermo-Responsive Cationic Comb-Type Copolymer Enhances Membrane Permeabilizing Activity of an Amphiphilic Peptide

Amphiphilic peptides are great focus owing to potential applications including drug delivery systems and antimicrobials. E5 peptide, one of amphiphilic peptides, forms amphiphilic α-helix at low pH, and exhibits membrane permeabilizing activity.1,2) However, the activity of E5 peptide is low attributed to low solubility in aqueous media. In the previous paper, we showed that the cationic comb-type copolymer, poly(allylamine)-graft-dextrane (PAA-g-Dex) formed soluble inter-polyelectrolyte complex (sIPEC) with E5 peptide at both low and natural pH, and E5/PAA-g-Dex exhibited strong membrane disruptive activity.3) In this study, we designed a novel comb-type cationic copolymer composed of a PAA main chain and thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) graft chains (PAA-g-PNIPAAm). We hypothesized that the thermoresponsive hydrophilic/hydrophobic transition of the grafted polymer would regulate the membrane disruption activity of E5 peptide. The target copolymer was prepared by activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP). The ratio of AA units to Initiator to NIPAAm units was estimated to be 100:9:421 by 1H NMR. Thus, the number-averaged molecular weight (M n) of PNIPAAm and the PNIPAAm contents were 1.0 × 104 and 94.3 wt %, respectively. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra measurement revealed that PAA-g-PNIPAAm formed sIPEC with E5 peptide, resulting in α-helix formation of E5 peptide. Furthermore, the complex formation of E5 and PAA-g-PNIPAAm was investigated by measuring the fluorescence spectra of triptophan residure in E5 peptide. From these investigations, we found that the interaction between E5 peptide and PAA-g-PNIPAAm at 35 °C (above LCST) was stronger than that at 25 °C (below LCST). These results suggest that the hydrophobicity of the environment around the cationic polymer chain influences complex formation. E5 peptide in the presence of PAA-g-PNIPAAm induced the leakage from liposomes, whereas E5 peptide alone did not. Importantly, E5/PAA-g-PNIPAAm induced more significant leakage at 35 °C than at 25 °C. Thus, membrane disruptive activity of E5/PAA-g-PNIPAAm sIPEC was regulated in response to temperature coupled with the phase transition of the thermo-responsive grafted chain.4)

Efficient prevention of nanomaterials transport in the porous media by treatment with polyelectrolytes

Contamination of soil by engineered nanomaterials (ENM) is an emergent environmental problem that urges the development of robust treatment protocols to prevent ENM transport through soil. We developed a method for efficient entrapment and retention of ENM in solid porous media of quartz sand with grain size of 300–500 μm used as a simple model of soil and studied the transport properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, silica and gold nanoparticles through the sand-packed column by UV–vis and fluorescent spectroscopy. The treatment of ENM-contaminated porous media with a mixture of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and anionic poly(acrylic acid) sodium salt, dissolved in NaCl solution followed by dilution in the column results in strong electrostatic interaction between the polyelectrolytes and a formation of inter-polyelectrolyte complexes (IPEC) that induce flocculation of ENM and adsorption to the surface of sand. The method demonstrates excellent ENM entrapment efficiency (>90%) and high capacity of several grams of ENM per 1 g of polyelectrolytes. The IPEC network formed after the treatment also serves as an efficient protection barrier for newly added ENM contaminants. The method is universal for various types of ENM (carbon ENM, metal and oxide nanoparticles) and equally efficient for distilled water, tap water, or lake water eluents.