Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published May 1, 1996 | public
Journal Article

Structure and Properties of Stoichiometric Complexes Formed by Sodium Poly(α,L-glutamate) and Oppositely Charged Surfactants

Abstract

The conformational and structural properties of the stoichiometric complexes formed by poly(α,L-glutamate) anions and alkyltrimethylammonium cations with chain lengths of twelve, sixteen, and eighteen carbon atoms were examined by circular dichroism, infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The polypeptide chains complexed with the surfactants adopt α-helical conformations. The shorter surfactant alkyl chains, consisting of twelve and sixteen carbon atoms, are disordered in the complexes, while the longer surfactant chains of eighteen carbon atoms crystallize on a hexagonal lattice. All of the complexes are organized in lamellar structures consisting of alternating layers of poly(α,L-glutamate) chains separated by bimolecular layers of the surfactants. The surfactant alkyl chains are interdigitated and perpendicular to the lamellar surfaces.

Additional Information

Copyright © 1996 American Chemical Society. Received November 7, 1995. In Final Form: January 31, 1996. Publication Date (Web): May 1, 1996. Abstract published in Advance ACS Abstracts, April 15, 1996. This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DMR 9311658) and by the NSF Materials Science and Engineering Center at the University of Massachusetts.

Additional details

Created:
August 20, 2023
Modified:
October 19, 2023