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PubMed2001

Phase transitions of glycine in frozen aqueous solutions and during freeze-drying.

PURPOSE: To study the solid-state and phase transitions of glycine, (i) in frozen aqueous solutions, and (ii) during freeze-drying. METHODS: X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to analyze the frozen systems. In situ freeze-drying in the sample chamber of the diffractometer enabled characterization of phase transitions during freeze-drying. RESULTS: Transitions in frozen systems. Rapid (20 degrees C/min) or slow (2 degrees C/min) cooling of aqueous solutions of glycine (15% w/w) to -70 degrees C resulted in crystallization of beta-glycine. Annealing at -10 degrees C led to an increase in the amount of the crystalline phase. When quench-cooled by immersing in liquid nitrogen, glycine formed an amorphous freeze-concentrate. On heating, crystallization of an unidentified phase of glycine occurred at approximately -65 degrees C which disappeared at approximately -55 degrees C, and the peaks of beta-glycine appeared. Annealing caused a transition of beta- to the -gamma- form. The extent of this conversion was a function of the annealing temperature. Slower cooling rates and annealing in frozen solutions increased the crystalline beta-glycine content in the Iyophile. Freeze-drying of quench-cooled solutions led to the formation of gamma-glycine during primary drying resulting in a lyophile consisting of a mixture of beta- and -gamma-glycine. The primary drying temperature as well as the initial solute concentration significantly influenced the solidstate of freeze-dried glycine only in quench-cooled systems. CONCLUSIONS: The cooling rate, annealing conditions and the primary drying temperature influenced the solid-state composition of freeze-dried glycine.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed2006

Gauging the effect of impurities on lipid bilayer phase transition temperature.

We report on the gel-to-fluid phase transition behavior of unilamellar vesicles formed with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (14:0 DMPC). We have interrogated the gel-to-fluid transition temperature of these bilayer structures using the chromophore perylene incorporated in their nonpolar region. We observe a discontinuous change in the reorientation time of perylene sequestered within the bilayer at the known melting transition temperature of 14:0 DMPC, 24 degrees C. The perylene reorientation data reveal a local viscosity of 14.5 +/- 2.5 cP in the gel phase, and 8.5 +/- 1.5 cP in the fluid phase. We have also incorporated small amounts of 1,2-dimyristoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14:1 DMPC) into these unilamellar vesicles and find that the melting transition temperature for these bilayers varies in a regular manner with the amount of 14:1 DMPC present. These data demonstrate that very little "contaminant" is required to cause a substantial change in the gel-to-fluid transition temperature, even though these contaminants do not alter the viscosity of the bilayer sensed by perylene, either above or below the melting transition.

Chromogenic Compounds↗
PubMed1988

The effect of potential-sensitive molecular probes on the thermal phase transition in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine preparations.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been employed to determine the effect of five commonly employed extrinsic potential-sensitive probes on phase transitions of multilamellar suspensions of L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). At mol% values of less than five, the effect of these probes on the excess heat capacity curve in the vicinity of the gel to liquid crystal phase transition can be described by an equation based on the formation of ideal solutions in both phases. Even at up to 4 mol%, these dyes only moderately reduce the enthalpy change associated with this transition, but cause a marked decrease in the size of the cooperative unit parameter. The excess heat capacity profile for diS-C3-(5) is represented by the ideal solution equation, even at 12 mol%, whereas the suspensions with the other probes present at this level have profiles covering large temperature ranges. Multiple peaks appear at the higher levels for the negatively charged oxonols V and VI, and merocyanine 540, a result consistent with the presence of well-defined microdomains or even phase separation. The enthalpy change associated with the transition near 15 degrees C involving packing in the headgroup region is decreased significantly, indicating that the probes probably affect the lipid headgroup conformation, even at low levels. The cyanine probe diS-C3-(5) causes the heat capacity profile of small unilamellar vesicles to be transformed very rapidly into one similar to that of the vortexed lipid preparations, presumably by a dye-mediated vesicle fusion process, enhanced by the surface location of this probe. All our results are consistent with diS-C3-(5) being located on the surface of the bilayer in both phases, but a penetration of the other probes into the hydrocarbon region, at least in the liquid crystal phase.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1994

Solid-state phase transition in the crystal structure of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.

The crystal structure is described of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in a new crystal form. This new form (form V) was obtained from a previously known crystal form (form III) through a solid-state phase transition. The solid-state phase transition was brought about by transferring the crystal from a high-salt low-pH mother liquor to a low-salt high-pH synthetic mother liquor. The interplay of electrostatic repulsion and osmotic pressure induced a unit-cell shrinkage of 24 A along the c axis and expansion of 4 A along the a and b axes. The space group also changed from I422 to I4. The new crystal form was shown to be more resistant to X-ray radiation damage, which suggests the effect of crystal stabilization by non-penetrating molecules. The structure of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in the new crystal form is compared with that of the old crystal form.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Structure and phase transitions of alkyl chains on mica.

We use molecular dynamics as a tool to understand the structure and phase transitions [Osman, M. A.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 4433-4439. Osman, M. A.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2002, 106, 653-662] in alkylammonium micas. The consistent force field 91 is extended for accurate simulation of mica and related minerals. We investigate mica sheets with 12 octadecyltrimethylammonium (C(18)) ions or 12 dioctadecyldimethylammonium (2C(18)) ions, respectively, as single and layered structures at different temperatures with periodicity in the xy plane by NVT dynamics. The alkylammonium ions reside preferably above the cavities in the mica surface with an aluminum-rich boundary. The nitrogen atoms are 380-390 pm away from the superficial silicon-aluminum plane. With increasing temperature, rearrangements of C(18) ions on the mica surface are found, while 2C(18) ions remain tethered due to geometric restraints. We present basal-plane spacings in the duplicate structures, tilt angles of the alkyl chains, and gauche-trans ratios to analyze the chain conformation. Agreement with experimental data, where available, is quantitative. In C(18)-mica with less than 100% alkali-ion exchange, the disordered C(18) rods in the island structures [Hayes, W. A.; Schwartz, D. K. Langmuir 1998, 14, 5913-5917] break at 40 degrees C. At 60 degrees C, the headgroups of the C(18) alkyl chains rearrange on the mica surface, and the broken chain backbones assume a coillike structure. The C(18)-mica obtained on fast cooling of this phase is metastable due to slow reverse rearrangements of the headgroups. In 2C(18)-mica with 70-80% ion exchange, the alkali ions are interspersed between the alkyl chains, corresponding to a single phase on the surface. The observed phase transition at approximately 53 degrees C involves an increase of chain disorder (partial melting) of the 2C(18) ions without significant rearrangements on the mica surface. We propose a geometric parameter lambda for the saturation of the surface with alkyl chains, which determines the preferred self-assembly pattern, that is, islands, intermediate, or continuous. lambda allows the calculation of tilt angles in continuous layers on mica or other surfaces. The thermal decomposition seems to be a Hofmann elimination with mica as a base-template.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Thermodynamics of phase transitions in langmuir monolayers observed by vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy.

Vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) was used to study gauche defects in octadecylamine (ODA) monolayers at the air/water interface. The VSFS spectra provide unique insights into phase transitions that occur as a result of changes in the structure of the monolayer's hydrophobic region. These changes can be attributed to the increased presence of gauche conformers in the ODA alkyl chains during the monolayer's transition from the solid to liquid phase. Temperature-dependent spectra from monolayers at several different pressures were used to assign the phase transition temperature based on the observed changes in microscopic structure. Through application of a two-dimensional form of the Clapeyron equation, the first in situ measurements of the entropy and enthalpy changes associated with gauche conformers in a monolayer were made.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1983

Fluorescence label studies of the phase transitions of T7.

Optical density, fluorescence intensity, polarization and lifetime measurements were performed to analyze the temperature-induced phase transitions of phage T7 in several buffers. For labelling the intraphage DNA, ethidium bromide, proflavine and rivanol were applied for the proteins 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). In the temperature range of 20 degrees C-100 degrees C several structural changes of T7 were detected. Making corrections for light scattering by using integrating spheres and analyzing the fluorescence signals, the phase transition of intraphage DNA below 60 degrees C was interpreted as a superhelical relaxation phenomenon. The structural changes found by optical density at higher temperatures could be assigned to a change in the phage DNA or to a change in its protein part on the basis of fluorescence-melting results concerning DNA and protein labels. The effects of ionic strength and environment on the structural changes were studied.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2002

Disorder induced quantum phase transition in random-exchange spin-1/2 chains.

We investigate the effect of quenched bond disorder on the anisotropic antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 (XXZ) chain as a model for disorder-induced quantum phase transitions. We find nonuniversal behavior of the average correlation functions for weak disorder, followed by a quantum phase transition into a strongly disordered phase with only short-range xy correlations. We find no evidence for the universal strong-disorder fixed point predicted by the real-space renormalization group, suggesting a qualitatively different view of the relationship between quantum fluctuations and disorder.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Studies on the critical micellar concentration and phase transitions of stearoylcarnitine.

The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of stearoylcarnitine was determined at different pH values at room temperature by fluorescence spectroscopy, monitoring the spectral changes of 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate (ANS). The CMC was found to vary with pH, increasing from about 10 microM at pH 3.0 to ca. 25 microM at pH 7.0, but decreasing slightly with further increase in pH to approximately 19 microM at pH 10.0. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows that stearoylcarnitine dispersed in water at low concentration undergoes a broad thermotropic phase transition at 44.5 degrees C, with a transition enthalpy of 15.0 kcal/mol. The transition temperature (Tt) shifts to ca. 50.5 degrees C in the presence of 1 mM EDTA or when the concentration is increased significantly. The turbidity of aqueous dispersions of stearoylcarnitine was found to be considerably high at low temperatures, which decreases quite abruptly over a short temperature range, indicating that a transition occurs from a phase of large aggregates to one of much smaller aggregates, most likely micelles. The phase transition temperature was determined as 29.1 degrees C at pH 3.0, which increased with increasing pH up to a value of 55.3 degrees C at pH 8.6 and remains nearly constant thereafter up to pH 11.2. The pH dependence of CMC and Tt suggest that the pKa of the carboxyl group of long chain acylcarnitines shifts to higher temperatures upon aggregation (micelles or bilayer membranes).

Biophysics↗
PubMed2006

Finite-size scaling analysis on the phase transition of a ferromagnetic polymer chain model.

The finite-size scaling analysis method is applied to study the phase transition of a self-avoiding walking polymer chain with spatial nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic Ising interaction on the simple cubic lattice. Assuming the scaling M2(T,n) = n(-2beta/nu)[phi0 + phi1n(1/nu)(T-T(c)) + O(n(2/nu)(T-T(c))2)] with the square magnetization M2 as the order parameter and the chain length n as the size, we estimate the second-order phase-transition temperature T(c) = 1.784 J/k(B) and critical exponents 2beta/nu approximately 0.668 and nu approximately 1.0. The self-diffusion constant and the chain dimensions (R2) and (S2) do not obey such a scaling law.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Structural-electronic correlation in the first-order phase transition of [FeH2L2-Me](ClO4)2 (H2L2-Me = bis[((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)-3- aminopropyl]ethylenediamine).

The synthesis and detailed study of the new mononuclear spin crossover complex [Fe(II)H2L(2-Me)](ClO4)2 (where H2L(2-Me) = bis[((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)-3-aminopropyl]ethylenediamine) are reported. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show the occurrence of a steep spin crossover centered at 171.5 K with a hysteresis loop of ca. 5 K width (T(/2)(increasing) = 174 K and T(1/2)(decreasing) = 169 K, for increasing and decreasing temperatures, respectively). The crystal structure has been resolved for the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states at 200 and 123 K, respectively, revealing a crystallographic phase transition that occurs concomitantly to the spin crossover: at 200 K, the complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, while the space group is P2(1) at 123 K. The mean Fe-N distances are shortened by 0.2 A, but the thermal spin crossover is accompanied by significant structural changes: the rearrangement of the central atom C12 of a six-membered chelate ring of [Fe(II)H2L(2-Me)]2+ to two positions (C12A and C12B) and, consequently, the lack of an inversion center at 123 K (P2(1) space group). Both HS and LS supramolecular structures involve all possible hydrogen bonds between imidazole and amine NH functions, and perchlorate anions; however, the HS supramolecular structure is a one-dimensional (1D) network, and the LS phase may better be described as a two-dimensional (2D) extended structure of A and B molecules. The structural phase transition of [FeH2L(2-Me)](ClO4)2 seems to trigger the steep and hysteretic spin crossover. Discontinuities in the temperature dependence of the Mössbauer parameters (isomer shift and quadrupole splitting) at the spin crossover temperature confirmed the occurrence of a structural phase transition. The experimental enthalpy and entropy variations were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as 7.5 +/- 0.4 kJ/mol and 45 +/- 3 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. The regular solution theory was applied to the experimental data, yielding an interaction parameter of Gamma = 3.36 kJ/mol, which is larger than 2RT(1/2), which fulfills the condition for observing hysteresis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Dynamical zero-temperature phase transitions and cosmic inflation or deflation.

For a rather general class of scenarios, sweeping through a zero-temperature phase transition by means of a time-dependent external parameter entails universal behavior: In the vicinity of the critical point, excitations behave as quantum fields in an expanding or contracting universe. The resulting effects such as the amplification or suppression of quantum fluctuations (due to horizon crossing, freezing, and squeezing) including the induced spectrum can be derived using the curved space-time analogy. The observed similarity entices the question of whether cosmic inflation itself might perhaps have been such a phase transition.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

An intracellular lamellar-nonlamellar phase transition rationalizes the superior performance of some cationic lipid transfection agents.

Two cationic phospholipid derivatives with asymmetric hydrocarbon chains were synthesized: ethyl esters of oleoyldecanoyl-ethylphosphatidylcholine (C18:1/C10-EPC) and stearoyldecanoyl-ethylphosphatidylcholine (C18:0/C10-EPC). The former was 50 times more effective as a DNA transfection agent (human umbilical artery endothelial cells) than the latter, despite their similar chemical structure and virtually identical lipoplex organization. A likely reason for the superior effectiveness of C18:1/C10-EPC relative to C18:0/C10-EPC (and to many other cationic lipoids) was suggested by the phases that evolved when these lipoids were mixed with negatively charged membrane lipid formulations. The saturated C18:0/C10-EPC remained lamellar in mixtures with biomembrane-mimicking lipid formulations [e.g., dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine/dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine/dioleoyl-phosphatidylserine/cholesterol at 45:20:20:15 (wt/wt)]; in contrast, the unsaturated C18:1/C10-EPC exhibited a lamellar-nonlamellar phase transition in such mixtures, which took place at physiological temperatures, approximately 37 degrees C. As is well known, lipid vehicles exhibit maximum leakiness and contents release in the vicinity of phase transitions, especially those involving nonlamellar phase formation. Moreover, nonlamellar phase-forming compositions are frequently highly fusogenic. Indeed, FRET experiments showed that C18:1/C10-EPC exhibits lipid mixing with negatively charged membranes that is several times more extensive than that of C18:0/C10-EPC. Thus, C18:1/C10-EPC lipoplexes are likely to easily fuse with membranes, and, as a result of lipid mixing, the resultant aggregates should exhibit extensive phase coexistence and heterogeneity, thereby facilitating DNA release and leading to superior transfection efficiency. These results highlight the phase properties of the carrier lipid/cellular lipid mixtures as a decisive factor for transfection success and suggest a strategy for the rational design of superior cationic lipid carriers.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Phase transition water-in-oil microemulsions as ocular drug delivery systems: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Microemuslion (ME)-based phase transition systems were evaluated for ocular delivery of pilocarpine hydrochloride (model hydrophilic drug). These used two non-ionic surfactants, sorbitan mono laurate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate with ethyl oleate (oil component) and water. These systems undergo phase change from ME to liquid crystalline (LC) and to coarse emulsion (EM) with a change in viscosity depending on water content. This study selected five formulations containing aqueous phase at 5% (w/w) (ME 5%), 10% (w/w) (ME 10%), 26% (w/w) (LC), 85% (w/w) (O/W EM) and 100% (solution) with the model drug at 1% (w/w). Incorporation of pilocarpine hydrochloride did not affect the phase behaviour. The viscosity was increased initially with dilution from ME 5% to ME 10% then LC, indicating structuring of the system, before being reduced in the EM formulation. Drug release depended on the viscosity with lower release rates obtained from formulations with high viscosity. The miotic response and duration of action were greatest in case of ME and LC formulations indicating high ocular bioavailability. Thus, phase transition ME is promising for ocular drug delivery as it provides the fluidity with its viscosity being increased after application increasing ocular retention while retaining the therapeutic efficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

influence of the molecular structures on the high-pressure and low-temperature phase transitions of plastic crystals.

The crystal structures of tert-butyl-tris(trimethylsilyl)silane, Si[C(CH(3))(3)](1)[Si(CH(3))(3)](3) (Bu1), and di-tert-butyl-bis(trimethylsilyl)silane, Si[C(CH(3))(3)](2)[Si(CH(3))(3)](2) (Bu2), at room temperature and at 105 K have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction; the high-pressure behavior for pressures between 0 and 5 GPa is reported. The room-temperature structures have cubic Fm3m symmetry (Z = 4) with a = 13.2645 (2) A, V = 2333.87 (4) A(3) for Bu1 and a = 12.9673 (1) A, V = 2180.46 (3) A(3) for Bu2. The molecules are arranged in a cubic close packing (c.c.p.) and exhibit at least 48-fold orientational disorder. Upon cooling both compounds undergo a first-order phase transition at temperatures T(c) = 230 (5) K (Bu1) and T(c) = 250 (5) K (Bu2) into monoclinic structures with space group P2(1)/n. The structures at 105 K have a = 17.317 (1), b = 15.598 (1), c = 16.385 (1) A, gamma = 109.477 (4) degrees, V = 4172.7 (8) A(3) and Z = 8 for Bu1and a = 17.0089 (9), b = 15.3159 (8), c = 15.9325 (8) A, gamma = 110.343 (3) degrees, V = 3891.7 (5) A(3) and Z = 8 for Bu2. The severe disorder of the room-temperature phase is significantly decreased and only a two- or threefold rotational disorder of the molecules remains at 105 K. First-order phase transitions have been observed at pressures of 0.13-0.28 GPa for Bu1 and 0.20-0.24 GPa for Bu2. The high-pressure structures are isostructural to the low-temperature structures. The pressure dependencies of the unit-cell Volumes were fitted with Vinet equations of state and the bulk moduli were obtained. At still higher pressures further anomalies in the pressure dependencies of the lattice parameters were observed. These anomalies are explained as additional disorder-order phase transitions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Supernarrow spectral peaks near a kinetic phase transition in a driven nonlinear micromechanical oscillator.

We measure the spectral densities of fluctuations of an underdamped nonlinear micromechanical oscillator. By applying a sufficiently large periodic excitation, two stable dynamical states are obtained within a particular range of driving frequency. White noise is injected into the excitation, allowing the system to overcome the activation barrier and switch between the two states. While the oscillator predominately resides in one of the two states for most frequencies, a narrow range of frequencies exist where the occupations of the two states are approximately equal. At these frequencies, the oscillator undergoes a kinetic phase transition that resembles the phase transition of thermal equilibrium systems. We observe a supernarrow peak in the spectral densities of fluctuations of the oscillator. This peak is centered at the excitation frequency and arises as a result of noise-induced transitions between the two dynamical states.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Soluble Surfactants Undergoing Surface Phase Transitions: A Maxwell Construction and the Dynamic Surface Tension.

The dynamic surface tension of a soluble surfactant which undergoes a surface phase transition from a gaseous to a liquid expanded state is described. The application of a Maxwell construction to the surface equation of state is used to implicitly locate C*, the bulk concentration at which the surface phase transition occurs, and the binodal surface concentrations GammaG and GammaL. The dynamic surface tension is assumed to reflect the instantaneous surface concentration. The mass transfer of surfactant to the interface is modeled as being controlled by bulk diffusion, or the kinetics of adsorption-desorption, or both, in a manner that accounts for the constant chemical potential as the interface undergoes the phase change and the differing interaction energies in the surface phases. As an example, using the Frumkin equation, equilibrium data for the surfactant 7-tetradecyn-6,9-diol are fitted for the maximum surface concentration Gammainfinity, the ratio of the characteristic kinetic constants for adsorption and desorption beta/alpha, and intermolecular interaction parameter K. The Maxwell construction then dictates C*, GammaG, and GammaL. These constants are then used to interpret dynamic surface tension data. The binodal concentrations are discussed in terms of the characteristic area swept out by the adsorbed molecule at the interface. Finally, the surface tension evolution is shown to be consistent with diffusion-controlled adsorption. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Investigation of the structural phase transitions near 190 K in 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone.

X-ray structure studies have been carried out on single crystals of 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone at temperatures from 164 to 295 K. The structure determined at 164 K is monoclinic I2/c. Crystal data: T = 164 K; a = 24.527 (6), b = 6.064 (1), c = 7.457 (4) Å; beta = 100.10 (2) degrees; V = 1091.9 (6) Å(3); Z = 4; d(c) = 1.528 g cm(-3); lambda(Mo Kalpha) = 0.71073 Å; µ = 0.565 mm(-1); F(000) = 512; R = 0.04. The temperature dependence of the unit-cell parameters and of the intensities of some symmetry-sensitive reflections has been measured over the range 164-293 K, both in warm-up and cool-down experiments. It has been established that the phase transformation between the C2/c and I2/c structures occurs as a sequence of two closely spaced first-order phase transitions. In between these phase transitions the crystal is in an intermediate state whose structure is different from both C2/c and I2/c. The experimental data give us ground to suppose that the intermediate state is disordered, having a primitive cell half as large as in the two ordered phases. Within the temperature interval where the said intermediate state exists the thermal expansivity along axis c is negative.

Journal Article↗