amphiphiele

Amphiphiele is a term used in colloid and surface science to denote a class of amphiphilic molecules that combine a hydrophilic head with a hydrophobic tail. The usage of the term is not universally standardized, and it may be applied in different contexts to describe molecules designed to self-assemble at interfaces or within aqueous media. In general, amphiphiele molecules have one polar head group and one or more hydrophobic chains, giving them dual affinity for water and oil.

Structure and design are highly variable. Typical amphiphiele molecules feature a polar head that can be ionic, zwitterionic, or nonionic, attached to one or more hydrocarbon or fluorinated tails. The relative sizes and geometries of the head and tail determine the preferred self-assembled shape, influencing whether the material forms micelles, vesicles, bilayers, or more complex nanostructures in solution or at interfaces.

Self-assembly and properties are governed by physicochemical parameters such as the critical packing parameter, concentration, temperature, and solvent quality. As in other amphiphiles, amphiphiele aggregates reduce interfacial tension and can encapsulate hydrophobic compounds, enabling applications in delivery and formulation. Measurements often include surface tension, critical micelle concentration, zeta potential, and imaging of assembled structures.

Applications span detergents, emulsifiers, drug and cosmetic delivery systems, and templating agents for nanomaterials. Because the term amphiphiele is not tied to a single, fixed chemical class, researchers typically refer to specific compounds by their exact chemical name or identifier for clarity.