Selective Sequestration of Charged Dyes and Drug in the ionic Liquid Based Complex Coacervates

Abstract

Surfactant-mediated complex coacervates are the dense liquid phase formed by the associative interaction between oppositely charged ions and are known as the new age microreactors for their ability to sequester molecules with different polarities and functionalities. To show the more recent attempts proof-of-concept in accumulating system that can sequester dyes and drugs, herein we had designed complex catanionic coacervates through synergistic interactions between the cationic ester functionalized imidazolium based ionic liquid and hydrotropic drug, sodium salicylate (NaSal). Thus prepared complex coacervates were investigated for their complexation behaviour as well salt, viscosity, temperature, pH and time-dependent stability for their realistic applications. Controlled sized coacervate droplets having honeycomb type spongy morphology obtained through microfluidic channel with fixed internal diameter show excellent selective sequestration for the dyes as well as anti-cancer hydrophobic drug, curcumin. The complex coacervate currently being examined can be used as low-cost, highly efficient and environmentally benign smart protocell models that can mimic their natural analogous for multi-purpose applications.

Keywords

• Functionalized ionic liquid-based surfactant
• Complex coacervates
• Sodium salicylate, Selective sequestration of dyes
• SANS