Use of neutron scattering to investigate complex green surfactants
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Livsmedelsteknik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | February 2020 - March 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Industrial pilot projects for the utilisation of neutron and photon based techniques at large-scale infrastructures - Autumn 2019 |
| End-of-project report | 2019-05269_EnzaBiotech.pdf (pdf, 395 kB) |
Important results from the project
The purpose of this project has been to evaluate how SANS and SAXS can be used to understand the structure-function relationships for the novel sugar-based surfactants from Enza Biotech. In the project, we have built understanding of the self-assembled structures that the surfactants form in solution and how these depend on molecular characteristics, external forces and other molecules. The project has demonstrated the usefulness of SAXS and SANS, including Rheo-SANS, in the rational design of novel surfactants.
Expected long term effects
We have shown that SAXS and SANS can provide detailed and unique information about the novel sugar-based surfactants from Enza Biotech. Enza co-workers have taken part in three studies and have thus gained an understanding of how this type of experiments are conducted. With SAXS and SANS, we have mapped the structures formed in solution and how they depend on molecular characteristics. We have also studied the interactions with othe molecules and the effects of external shear. In the latter case, Rheo-SANS was used in conjunction with rheology.
Approach and implementation
We have completed four experimental studies, as well as an evaluation of Rheo-SANS data collected before the project. 1. Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum, March 2020. Interactions between surfactants and oligosaccharides. A co-worker from Enza took part in the experiment. 2. ISIS, April 2021. Surfactant-protein interactions. 3. ISIS, mars 2022. Remote experiment. Structure-function relationship of self-aggregation. 4. Max IV, April 2022. Same systems as in Study 3. A co-worker from Enza participated. In addition, rheological studies have been conducted at LTH.