TY - JOUR A1 - Risse, Kerstin A1 - Nikiforidis, Constantinos V. A1 - Morris, Imogen A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Drusch, Stephan T1 - Regulating the heat stability of protein-phospholipid stabilised oil-water emulsions by changing the phospholipid headgroup or fatty acyl chain N2 - Stabilising oil–water emulsions remains a central challenge across food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and phospholipids (PLs) can act synergistically at oil-water interfaces: PLs adsorb rapidly, while β-LG forms a viscoelastic protein network that enhances long-term stability. However, competitive adsorption between proteins and PLs can disrupt interfacial structure. In addition, for commercial production, emulsions are often exposed to heat treatment during or after manufacture, for instance due to food safety requirements. Yet, the combined effects of PL structure and heat treatment on interfacial organisation and emulsion stability remain poorly understood. Here we show that PL saturation and processing temperature jointly determine interfacial organisation, protein-PL interactions and emulsion stability. Using β-LG-PL emulsions, we combined ζ-potential measurements, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), micro-differential scanning calorimetry (μDSC), X-ray diffraction and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to link interfacial composition with functional stability. Below the β-LG denaturation temperature (≤75 °C), saturated PLs promoted partial unfolding of β-LG at the interface without displacement, producing mixed protein-PL networks with enhanced viscoelasticity and stability. Unsaturated PLs displaced β-LG, yielding less elastic interfaces and promoting protein aggregation in the bulk. At ≥75 °C, increased hydrophobicity intensified protein-protein interactions irrespective of PL type. Our findings reveal that saturated PLs shift the β-LG denaturation temperature upward by restricting molecular mobility, without preventing quaternary-level protein-protein interactions. Thermal denaturation, regardless of PL type, promoted interfacial multilayer formation at 90 °C. These results provide a mechanistic framework for tailoring emulsion stability via lipid saturation and processing temperature. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Nanostructure KW - Reference Method KW - Colloid KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-648956 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139530 SN - 0021-9797 VL - 705 SP - 1 EP - 25 PB - Elsevier Inc. AN - OPUS4-64895 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mikhlin, Yuri A1 - Muzikansky, Anya A1 - Zysler, Melina A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Zitoun, David T1 - Emerging electrochemistry of high-concentration colloids: Redox-activity, wide potential window and electrophoretic transport of iron oxide nanoparticles N2 - High-concentration, steric stabilizer free colloids and particularly their electrochemical behavior remains almost unexplored. Herein, we report on the electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, etc.) of highly concentrated aqueous colloidal dispersion up to 800 g/L of citrate-capped ∼11 nm Fe3-xO4 nanoparticles (NPs) without background electrolyte on glassy carbon electrodes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was applied to analyze the reaction products. Solid-state Fe(II)/Fe(III) conversion was concluded to determine the cathodic and anodic faradaic reactions of the particles, with the currents depending on approximately square root of the concentration. The electrochemical reactions are coupled with the electrophoretic transfer of the negatively charged NPs on toward the anode, with the ohmic-type behavior in the bulk demonstrated by the nearly linear voltametric cathodic curves and frequency-independent impedance above ∼10–100 Hz. Accumulation and clogging of the NPs retards diffusion near anode. Hydrogen and especially oxygen evolution are arrested, and very large oxidation overpotentials result in extraordinary wide, up to 12 V, electrochemical window of water stability. The findings shed light onto basic features of the electrochemistry of high-concentration colloids without added electrolyte and their potential applications in redox flow batteries, electrophoretic deposition and beyond. KW - Nanoplastics KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-644340 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139247 SN - 0021-9797 VL - 703 SP - 1 EP - 18 PB - Elsevier Inc. AN - OPUS4-64434 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Guitton-Spassky, Tiffany A1 - Schade, Boris A1 - Zoister, Christian A1 - Veronese, Eleonora A1 - Rosati, Marta A1 - Baldelli Bombelli, Francesca A1 - Cavallo, Gabriella A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Ghermezcheshme, Hassan A1 - Makki, Hesam A1 - Netz, Roland R. A1 - Ludwig, Kai A1 - Metrangolo, Pierangelo A1 - Singh, Abhishek Kumar A1 - Haag, Rainer T1 - Fluorinated Hexosome Carriers for Enhanced Solubility of Drugs N2 - Designing nanomaterials for drug encapsulation is a crucial, yet challenging, aspect for pharmaceutical development. An important step is synthesizing amphiphiles that form stable supramolecular systems for efficient drug loading. In the case of fluorinated drugs, these have superior properties and also a tendency toward reduced water solubility. For the first time, we report here fluorinated hexosome carriers made from nonionic dendritic amphiphiles, capable of encapsulating the fluorinated drug Leflunomide with high efficiency (62 ± 3%) and increasing its solubility by 12-fold. We synthesized amphiphiles with varying tail groups (fluorinated/alkylated), and their supramolecular self-assembly was investigated using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Furthermore, Leflunomide and its equivalent nonfluorinated counterpart were encapsulated within fluorinated and nonfluorinated assemblies. Self-assembly and encapsulation mechanisms were well supported by coarse-grained molecular simulations, yielding a fundamental understanding of the new systems. KW - PEFAS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Reference method PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-632002 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/jacsau.5c00198 SN - 2691-3704 VL - 5 IS - 5 SP - 2223 EP - 2236 PB - American Chemical Society (ACS) CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-63200 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lange, Alyna A1 - Holtzheimer, Lea A1 - Clarke, Coby A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Taubert, Andreas T1 - Complex Self-Organization in n-Alkylammonium Sulfobetaine Zwitterions with High Thermal Stabilities and High Expansion Coefficients N2 - Sulfobetaine zwitterions made from n-alkyl dimethylamines and butanesultone yield a series of n-alkylammonium sulfobetaine zwitterions with complex self-organization behavior. The compounds are thermally quite stable and the length of the alkyl chain directly affects all phase transition temperatures of the compounds: the longer the alkyl chain, the higher the transition temperature. All compounds exhibit lamellar order and the different phases are characterized by a lower temperature orthorhombic and a higher temperature hexagonal in-plane order. The phase transition from the orthorhombic to the hexagonal phase is always associated with an increase of the long period. The phase transition is also associated with a rather high thermal expansion coefficient. KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Nanostructure PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-626276 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c02892 SN - 1520-5827 VL - 41 SP - 4422 EP - 4434 PB - American Chemical Society (ACS) AN - OPUS4-62627 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Iannuzzi, Maurizio A1 - Chowdhary, Suvrat A1 - Fiedler, Holly A1 - Haoues, Kilian A1 - Schade, Boris A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Quaas, Elisa A1 - Koksch, Beate T1 - Rational design of polyfluorinated peptide-based materials: Self-assembly of an amphiphilic motif N2 - Generation of a pH sensitive amphiphilic block oligopeptide containing the bioactive function RGD and a library of derivatives varying the length of the hydrophobic core and the degree of side chain fluorination. Peptide rational design enables us to obtain desired features (pH sensitivity etc.). The introduction of fluorine alters a wide range of peptide properties such as secondary structure propensity, folding, thermal and metabolic stability and proteolytic resistance. The RGD function is highly effective at promoting the attachment of numerous cell types to a plethora of materials. This small sequence is the principal integrin-binding domain present within ECM proteins such as fiobronectin, vibronectin and fibrinogen. For this reason, RGD containing peptides offer several advantages for biomaterials applications. The use of RGD compared with native ECM proteins, minimized the risk of immune reactivity or pathogen transfer. Herein in this work, we present the peptide motif X6RGD and its fluoro-derivates for prospective receptor-specific drug delivery in cancer theraphy. Overall, our results demonstrate that high degree of fluorination achieved triggers a selective modification of peptide self-assembly dramatically improving the structural properties, the carrier suitability, enzimatic degradation profiles and cytotoxic features of the fluoropeptide conjugate(s). T2 - 37th European Peptide Symposium CY - Florence, Italy DA - 25.08.2024 KW - Nanostructure KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering PY - 2024 SN - 1099-1387 VL - 30 IS - S2 SP - 247 EP - 248 PB - Wiley CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-62191 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, Qiang A1 - Heuchel, Matthias A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Machatscheck, Rainhard T1 - The role of diffusion in the hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid): A molecular perspective N2 - This research emphasizes the importance of internal surface erosion as a key factor in the hydrolytic degradation of PLGA (poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)) providing an alternative view of the established surface and bulk erosion degradation modes. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, this study reveals the role of water and oligomer diffusion during the degradation of PLGA and highlights the importance of water channels formed as the overall water content increases. We found that these continuous water channels play a crucial role in accelerating the transport of water and the release of degradation products from the polymer matrix, as the diffusion coefficients of water and small oligomers exhibit significant differences spanning 2 to 3 orders of magnitude between the water and polymer phases. Water follows a different diffusion mechanism than polymer fragments. The diffusion rate of the fragments up to a size of octamers was found to be size-dependent and reasonably well approximated by a 1/N behavior, in line with the Rouse model. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Nanostructure KW - PLGA PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-621250 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2024.111119 VL - 232 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-62125 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Structure Analysis of Functional Hydrogels with Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) N2 - Hydrogel properties are largely determined by their network structure. Here, we report on the capabilities of SAXS methods for characterizing polymer-network gels. SAXS provides rich insight into different types and levels of nanostructural inhomogeneities in these soft matter materials. The structure analysis of alginate hydrogels, typically utilized in tissue engineering applications, will be discussed in detail. T2 - Polydays 2024 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 30.09.2024 KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Polymer KW - Gel PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61184 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sieg, Holger A1 - Schaar, Caroline A1 - Fouquet, Nicole A1 - Böhmert, Linda A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Braeuning, Albert T1 - Particulate iron oxide food colorants (E 172) during artificial digestion and their uptake and impact on intestinal cells N2 - Iron oxide of various structures is frequently used as food colorant (E 172). The spectrum of colors ranges from yellow over orange, red, and brown to black, depending on the chemical structure of the material. E 172 is mostly sold as solid powder. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of nanoscaled particles in E 172 samples, often to a very high extent. This makes it necessary to investigate the fate of these particles after oral uptake. In this study, 7 differently structured commercially available E 172 food colorants (2 x Yellow FeO(OH), 2 x Red Fe2O3, 1 x Orange Fe2O3 + FeO(OH) and 2 x Black Fe3O4) were investigated for particle dissolution, ion release, cellular uptake, crossing of the intestinal barrier and toxicological impact on intestinal cells. Dissolution was analyzed in water, cell culture medium and artificial digestion fluids. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was employed for determination of the specific surface area of the colorants in the digestion fluids. Cellular uptake, transport and toxicological effects were studied using human differentiated Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model of the intestinal barrier. For all materials, a strong interaction with the intestinal cells was observed, albeit there was only a limited dissolution, and no toxic in vitro effects on human cells were recorded. KW - Toxicology KW - Nanoparticles KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-593935 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2024.105772 VL - 96 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Elsevier BV AN - OPUS4-59393 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hildebrandt, Jana A1 - Taubert, Andreas A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Synthesis and Characterization of Ultra‐Small Gold Nanoparticles in the Ionic Liquid 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Dicyanamide, [Emim][DCA] N2 - AbstractWe report on gold clusters with around 62 gold atoms and a diameter of 1.15±0.10 nm. Dispersions of the clusters are long‐term stable for two years at ambient conditions. The synthesis was performed by mixing tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4 ⋅ 3 H2O) with the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([Emim][DCA]) at temperatures of 20 to 80 °C. Characterization was performed with small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), UV‐Vis spectroscopy, and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. A three‐stage model is proposed for the formation of the clusters, in which cluster growth from gold nuclei takes place according to the Lifshitz‐Slyozov‐Wagner (LSW) model followed by oriented attachment to form colloidal stable clusters. KW - Reference materials KW - SAXS KW - Gold KW - Nanoparticle KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Ionic liquid PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-588203 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/open.202300106 SN - 2191-1363 VL - 44 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Wiley AN - OPUS4-58820 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Navarro, L. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Yokosawa, T. A1 - Spiecker, E. A1 - Klinger, D. T1 - Regioselective Seeded Polymerization in Block Copolymer Nanoparticles: Post-Assembly Control of Colloidal Features N2 - Post-assembly modifications are efficient tools to adjust colloidal features of block copolymer (BCP) particles. However, existing methods often address particle shape, morphology, and chemical functionality individually. For simultaneous control, we transferred the concept of seeded polymerization to phase separated BCP particles. Key to our approach is the regioselective polymerization of (functional) monomers inside specific BCP domains. This was demonstrated in striped PS-b-P2VP ellipsoids. Here, polymerization of styrene preferably occurs in PS domains and increases PS lamellar thickness up to 5-fold. The resulting asymmetric lamellar morphology also changes the particle shape, i.e., increases the aspect ratio. Using 4-vinylbenzyl azide as co-monomer, azides as chemical functionalities can be added selectively to the PS domains. Overall, our simple and versatile method gives access to various multifunctional BCP colloids from a single batch of pre-formed particles. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Nanostructure KW - Polymer KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-557246 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202208084 SN - 1433-7851 VL - 61 IS - 35 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-55724 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Chowdhary, S. A1 - Schmidt, R. F. A1 - Sahoo, A. K. A1 - tom Dieck, T. A1 - Hohmann, T. A1 - Schade, B. A1 - Brademann-Jock, Kerstin A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Netz, R. R. A1 - Gradzielski, M. A1 - Koksch, B. T1 - Rational design of amphiphilic fluorinated peptides: Evaluation of self-assembly properties and hydrogel formation N2 - Advanced peptide-based nanomaterials composed of self-assembling peptides (SAPs) are of emerging interest in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The introduction of fluorine into peptides, in fact, offers unique opportunities to tune their biophysical properties and intermolecular interactions. In particular, the degree of fluorination plays a crucial role in peptide engineering as it can be used to control the characteristics of fluorine-specific interactions and, thus, peptide conformation and self-assembly. Here, we designed and explored a series of amphipathic peptides by incorporating the fluorinated amino acids (2S)-4-monofluoroethylglycine (MfeGly), (2S)-4,4-difluoroethylglycine (DfeGly) and (2S)-4,4,4-trifluoroethylglycine (TfeGly) as hydrophobic components. This approach enabled studying the impact of fluorination on secondary structure formation and peptide self-assembly on a systematic basis. We show that the interplay between polarity and hydrophobicity, both induced differentially by varying degrees of side chain fluorination, does affect peptide folding significantly. A greater degree of fluorination promotes peptide fibrillation and subsequent formation of physical hydrogels in physiological conditions. Molecular simulations revealed the key role played by electrostatically driven intra-chain and inter-chain contact pairs that are modulated by side chain fluorination and give insights into the different self-organization behaviour of selected peptides. Our study provides a systematic report about the distinct features of fluorinated oligomeric peptides with potential applications as peptide-based biomaterials. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Amyloid PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-553504 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR01648F SN - 2040-3364 VL - 14 IS - 28 SP - 10176 EP - 10189 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-55350 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Saloga, Patrick E. J. A1 - Rybak, Tina A1 - Thünemann, Andreas T1 - Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles: Phase Transfer to Water N2 - Herein, a simple one-pot procedure is reported to obtain aqueous zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle dispersions from ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in cyclohexane. In the process, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80, Tween 80) functions as a phase transfer agent and colloidal stabilizer. The particles grow in a defined manner during the transfer, presumably via coalescence. The final particle radii are tuneable in the range from 2.3 ± 0.1 nm to 5.7 ± 0.1 nm depending on the incubation time of the dispersion at 90 °C. Small-angle X-ray scattering is employed to determine the particle radius distributions before and after phase transfer. The larger ZnO particle radii are associated with a redshift of the optical bandgap and luminescence emission, as expected for semiconductor nanoparticles. The particles presented here exhibit a relative size distribution width of 20%, rendering them attractive for applications in, e.g., biology or catalysis. The latter application is demonstrated at the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye. KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - nanoparticle PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-551502 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202101276 VL - 24 IS - 6 SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - Wiley AN - OPUS4-55150 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Paul, M. B. A1 - Fahrenson, C. A1 - Givelet, L. A1 - Herrmann, T. A1 - Loescher, K. A1 - Böhmert, L. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Braeuning, A. A1 - Sieg, H. T1 - Beyond microplastics ‑ investigation on health impacts of submicron and nanoplastic particles after oral uptake in vitro N2 - The continuously increasing use of plastics is supposed to result in a rising exposure of MNPs to humans. Available data on human health risks of microplastics after oral uptake increased immensely in the past years and indicates very likely only low risks after oral consumption. Concerning nanoplastics, uptake, transport and potential adverse effects after oral uptake are less well understood. This study aims to investigate differences between microplastic particles and particles in the submicron- and nanoscaled size derived from food-relevant polymers with a particle size range consistent with higher potential for cellular uptake, fate, and effects when applied to human intestinal and liver cells. This work includes the development of cellular and subcellular detection methods for synthetic polymeric particles in the micro- and nanometer-range, using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Small-Angle X-ray and Dynamic Light Scattering methods, Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation, octanol-water fractionation, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Polylactic acid (250 nm and 2 μm (polydisperse)), melamine formaldehyde (366 nm) and polymethylmethacrylate (25 nm) were thoroughly characterized. The submicro- and nanoplastic test particles showed an increased uptake and transport quantity through intestinal cells. Both types of particles resulted in observed differences of uptake behavior, most likely influenced by different lipophilicity, which varied between the polymeric test materials. Toxic effects were detected after 24 h only in overload situations for the particles in the submicrometer range. This study provides further evidence for gastrointestinal uptake of submicro- and nanoplastics and points towards differences regarding bioavailability between microplastics and smaller plastic particles that may result following the ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. Furthermore, the results reinforce the importance for studying nanoplastics of different materials of varying size, surface properties, polymer composition and hydrophobicity. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - nanoparticle PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-550741 DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-022-00036-0 VL - 2 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-55074 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Navarro, L. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Klinger, D. T1 - Solvent Annealing of Striped Ellipsoidal Block Copolymer Particles: Reversible Control over Lamellae Asymmetry, Aspect Ratio, and Particle Surface N2 - Solvent annealing is a versatile tool to adjust the shape and morphology of block copolymer (BCP) particles. During this process, polar solvents are often used for block-selective swelling. However, such water-miscible solvents can induce (partial) solubilization of one block in the surrounding aqueous medium, thus, causing complex structural variations and even particle disassembly. To reduce the complexity in morphology control, we focused on toluene as a nonpolar polystyrene-selective solvent for the annealing of striped polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) ellipsoids. The selective stretching of PS chains produces unique asymmetric lamellae structures, which translate to an increase in the particle aspect ratio after toluene evaporation. Complete reversibility is achieved by changing to chloroform as a nonselective solvent. Moreover, surfactants can be used to tune block-selective wetting of the particle surface during the annealing; for example, a PS shell can protect the internal lamellae structure from disassembly. Overall, this versatile postassembly process enables the tailoring of the structural features of striped colloidal ellipsoids by only using commercial BCPs and solvents. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Nanoparticle KW - Polymer PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-543731 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00665 VL - 11 IS - 3 SP - 319 EP - 335 PB - American Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-54373 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sieg, H. A1 - Klusmann, L. A1 - Ellermann, A. L. A1 - Böhmert, L. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Braeuning, A. T1 - Counterions determine uptake and effects of aluminum in human intestinal and liver cells N2 - Aluminum (Al) is highly abundant in the biosphere and can occur in different physico-chemical states. It is present in human food and undergoes transitions between dissolved and particulate species during the passage of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, in a complex matrix such as food different inorganic and organic counterions can affect the chemical behavior of Al following oral uptake. In this work, the effects of different counterions, namely chloride, citrate, sulfate, lactate and acetylacetonate, on Al uptake and toxicity in the human intestine are studied. The respective Al salts showed different dissolution behavior in biological media and formed nanoscaled particles correlating in reverse with the amount of their dissolved fraction. The passage through the intestinal barrier was studied using a Caco-2 Transwell® system, showing counterion-dependent variance in cellular uptake and transport. In addition, Al toxicity was investigated using Al species (Al3+, metallic Al0 and oxidic γAl2O3 nanoparticles) and counterions individually or in mixtures on Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. The strongest toxicity was observed using a combination of Al species, depending on solubility, and the lipophilic counterion acetylacetonate. Notably, only the combination of both led to toxicity, while both substances individually did not show toxic effects. A toxification of previously non-toxic Al-species by the presence of acetylacetonate is shown here for the first time. The dependency on the concentration of free Al ions was demonstrated using sodium hydrogen phosphate, which was able to counteract the toxic effects by complexing free Al ions. These findings, using Al salts as an example for a common food contaminant, underline the importance of a consideration of the chemical properties of human nutrition, especially dissolution and hydrophobicity, which can significantly influence the cellular uptake and effects of xenobiotic substances. KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105295 VL - 79 SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - Elsevier AN - OPUS4-54110 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fortes Martin, R. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Stockmann, Jörg Manfred A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Koetz, J. T1 - From Nanoparticle Heteroclusters to Filament Networks by Self-Assembly at the Water–Oil Interface of Reverse Microemulsions N2 - Surface self-assembly of spherical nanoparticles of sizes below 10 nm into hierarchical heterostructures is under arising development despite the inherent difficulties of obtaining complex ordering patterns on a larger scale. Due to template-mediated interactions between oil-dispersible superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and polyethylenimine-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au(PEI)NPs) at the water–oil interface of microemulsions, complex nanostructured films can be formed. Characterization of the reverse microemulsion phase by UV–vis absorption revealed the formation of heteroclusters from Winsor type II phases (WPII) using Aerosol-OT (AOT) as the surfactant. SAXS measurements verify the mechanism of initial nanoparticle clustering in defined dimensions. XPS suggested an influence of AOT at the MNP surface. Further, cryo-SEM and TEM visualization demonstrated the elongation of the reverse microemulsions into cylindrical, wormlike structures, which subsequently build up larger nanoparticle superstructure arrangements. Such WPII phases are thus proven to be a new form of soft template, mediating the self-assembly of different nanoparticles in hierarchical network-like filaments over a substrate during solvent evaporation. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Nanoparticle KW - Nano structure PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01348 VL - 37 IS - 29 SP - 8876 EP - 8885 PB - American Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-53034 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ihlenburg, R. B. J. A1 - Mai, T. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Baerenwald, R. A1 - Saalwächter, K. A1 - Koetz, J. A1 - Taubert, A. T1 - Sulfobetaine Hydrogels with a Complex Multilength-Scale Hierarchical Structure N2 - Hydrogels with a hierarchical structure were prepared from a new highly water-soluble crosslinker N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-N,N′-bis(2-ethylmethacrylate)-propyl-1,3-diammonium dibromide and from the sulfobetaine monomer 2-(N-3-sulfopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium)ethyl methacrylate. The free radical polymerization of the two compounds is rapid and yields near-transparent hydrogels with sizes up to 5 cm in diameter. Rheology shows a clear correlation between the monomer-to-crosslinker ratio and the storage and loss moduli of the hydrogels. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering show that the gels have a hierarchical structure with features spanning the nanometer to the sub-millimeter scale. The NMR study is challenged by the marked inhomogeneity of the gels and the complex chemical structure of the sulfobetaine monomer. NMR spectroscopy shows how these complications can be addressed via a novel fitting approach that considers the mobility gradient along the side chain of methacrylate-based monomers. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Gel PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c10601 SN - 1520-6106 VL - 125 IS - 13 SP - 3398 EP - 3408 PB - American Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-52403 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Chowdhary, S. A1 - Moschner, J. A1 - Mikolajczak, D. J. A1 - Becker, M. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Kästner, Claudia A1 - Klemczak, D. A1 - Stegemann, A.-K. A1 - Böttcher, C. A1 - Metrangolo, P. A1 - Netz, R. R. A1 - Koksch, B. T1 - The Impact of Halogenated Phenylalanine Derivatives on NFGAIL Amyloid Formation N2 - The hexapeptide hIAPP22–27 (NFGAIL) is known as a crucial amyloid core sequence of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) whose aggregates can be used to better understand the wild‐type hIAPP′s toxicity to β‐cell death. In amyloid research, the role of hydrophobic and aromatic‐aromatic interactions as potential driving forces during the aggregation process is controversially discussed not only in case of NFGAIL, but also for amyloidogenic peptides in general. We have used halogenation of the aromatic residue as a strategy to modulate hydrophobic and aromatic‐aromatic interactions and prepared a library of NFGAIL variants containing fluorinated and iodinated phenylalanine analogues. We used thioflavin T staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) to study the impact of side‐chain halogenation on NFGAIL amyloid formation kinetics. Our data revealed a synergy between aggregation behavior and hydrophobicity of the phenylalanine residue. This study introduces systematic fluorination as a toolbox to further investigate the nature of the amyloid self‐assembly process. KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - SAXS KW - Nanoparticle KW - Nanostructure KW - Peptide KW - Amyloid PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-518632 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202000373 VL - 21 IS - 24 SP - 3544 EP - 3554 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-51863 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Voss, L. A1 - Hsiao, I-L. A1 - Ebisch, Maximilian A1 - Vidmar, J. A1 - Dreiack, N. A1 - Böhmert, L. A1 - Stock, V. A1 - Braeuning, A. A1 - Loeschner, K. A1 - Laux, P. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Lampen, A. A1 - Sieg, H. T1 - The presence of iron oxide nanoparticles in the food pigment E172 N2 - Iron oxides used as food colorants are listed in the European Union with the number E172. However, there are no specifications concerning the fraction of nanoparticles in these pigments. Here, seven E172 products were thoroughly characterized. Samples of all colors were analyzed with a Broad spectrum of methods to assess their physico-chemical properties. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), zeta-potential, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET), Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) and in vitro cell viability measurements were used. Nanoparticles were detected in all E172 samples by TEM or SAXS measurements. Quantitative results from both methods were comparable. Five pigments were evaluated by TEM, of which four had a size median below 100 nm, while SAXS showed a size median below 100 nm for six evaluated pigments. Therefore, consumers May be exposed to iron oxide nanoparticles through the consumption of food pigments. KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127000 VL - 327 SP - 127000 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-50810 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sieg, H. A1 - Krause, B.-C. A1 - Kästner, Claudia A1 - Böhmert, L. A1 - Lichtenstein, D. A1 - Tentschert, J. A1 - Jungnickel, H. A1 - Laux, P. A1 - Braeuning, A. A1 - Fessard, V. A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Luch, A. A1 - Lampen, A. T1 - Cellular Effects of In Vitro-Digested Aluminum Nanomaterials on Human Intestinal Cells N2 - Aluminum (Al) can be taken up from food, packaging, or the environment and thus reaches the human gastrointestinal tract. Its toxic potential after oral uptake is still discussed. The fate of different solid and ionic Al species during the passage through the digestive tract is the focus of this research, as well as the cellular effects caused by these different Al species. The present study combines the physicochemical processing of three recently studied Al species (metallic Al0, mineral Al2O3, and soluble AlCl3) in artificial digestion fluids with in vitro cell systems for the human intestinal barrier. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods were used to characterize the Al species in the artificial digestion fluids and in cell culture medium for proliferating and differentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity testing and cellular impedance measurements were applied to address the effects of digested Al species on cell viability and cell proliferation. Microarray-based transcriptome analyses and quantitative real-time PCR were conducted to obtain a deeper insight into cellular mechanisms of action and generated indications for cellular oxidative stress and an influence on xenobiotic metabolism, connected with alterations in associated signaling pathways. These cellular responses, which were predominantly caused by formerly ionic Al species and only at very high concentrations, were not impacted by artificial digestion. A two-directional conversion of Al between ionic species and solid particles occurred throughout all segments of the gastrointestinal tract, as evidenced by the presence of nanoscaled particles. Nevertheless, this presence did not increase the toxicity of the respective Al species. KW - SAXS KW - Small-angle X-ray scattering KW - Nanoparticle PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.9b02354 VL - 3 IS - 3 SP - 2246 EP - 2256 PB - American Chemical Society AN - OPUS4-50632 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -