Non-Ionic Fluorosurfactants for Droplet-Based in vivo Applications

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2024 Dec 20;63(52):e202404956. doi: 10.1002/anie.202404956. Epub 2024 Nov 9.

Abstract

Fluorocarbon oils are uniquely suited for many biomedical applications due to their inert, bioorthogonal properties. In order to interface fluorocarbon oils with biological systems, non-ionic fluorosurfactants are necessary. However, there is a paucity of non-ionic fluorosurfactants with low interfacial tension (IFT) to stabilize fluorocarbon phases in aqueous environments (such as oil-in-water emulsions). We developed non-ionic fluorosurfactants composed of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) segment covalently bonded to a flexible perfluoropolyether (PFPE) segment that confer low IFTs between a fluorocarbon oil (HFE-7700) and water. The synthesis of a panel of surfactants spanning a molecular weight range of 0.64-66 kDa with various hydrophilic-lipophilic balances allowed for identification of minimal IFTs, ranging from 1.4 to 17.8 mN m-1. The majority of these custom fluorosurfactants display poor solubility in water, allowing their co-introduction with fluorocarbon oils and minimal leaching. We applied the PEG5PFPE1 surfactant for mechanical force measurements in zebrafish, enabling exceptional sensitivity.

Keywords: fluorosurfactant; in vivo force sensing; microdroplets; perfluoropolyether; surfactant.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ethers / chemistry
  • Fluorocarbons* / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Polyethylene Glycols* / chemistry
  • Surface Tension
  • Surface-Active Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Surface-Active Agents* / chemistry
  • Water / chemistry
  • Zebrafish*

Substances

  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • perfluoropolyether
  • Ethers
  • Water