Mass Exchange and Equilibration Processes in AOT Reverse Micelles

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b04192
• Publication Date: 2018-01-24T21:25:14Z
• Authors: Gozde Eskici; Paul H. Axelsen
• Keywords: Microsecond

Reverse micelles (RMs) made with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate suspended in isooctane are commonly used experimental models of aqueous microenvironments. However, there important unanswered questions about the very characteristic that makes them interest, namely their size. To explore factors determine size RMs, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations RMs different sizes but same water-loading ratio were performed. An Anton 2 machine was so systems necessary could be extended into microsecond timescale, and mass exchange processes observed. Contrary to hypothesis, no net gains or losses water by diffusion between did occur following fusion events. RM followed contact only when waters present among hydrophobic surfactant chains at point contact. The presence an encapsulated 40-residue amyloid beta peptide not directly promote fusion, it quickly efficiently terminated each event. Before terminated, however, peptide-containing increased without a corresponding change its ratio. We conclude transfer is most likely accomplished through transient events, rather than component molecules organic phase. behavior this system underscores propensity embed in, fold response to, multiple interactions layer.