Dear Colleagues,

Developing a nanostructured emulsion-based system for various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications remains a challenge. The use of surfactants in the preparation of nanostructured systems is of paramount importance for stability, as well as for controlling the particle size and driving the assembly system. Ionic Liquids (ILs) with long alkyl chains that are amphiphilic are called surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs). SAILs have physicochemical characteristics that are relevant for phase- and surface-responsive behavior (e.g., critical micelle concentration, oleophobicity, and surface activity). The versatile structures of ILs provide a wide range of possibilities for exploring the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance and intermolecular interactions in nanostructured systems. The incorporation of SAILs into nanostructured systems has already been described, showing that these specific ILs favor system stabilization (colloidal and thermal). Thus, SAIL-based surfactants are a potential alternative to conventional surfactants. In addition to assisting in the formation of nanostructured systems, SAILs can also act in drug delivery systems, since they can be used to increase the solubility of sparingly soluble drugs and to enhance their topical and transdermal delivery. Additionally, depending on the chemical structure, they may be biocompatible and can be used for protection against microorganisms and for enhancing skin penetration. With the aid of SAILs, many pharmaceutical and biomedical products have been developed, and therapeutic effects have improved. This Special Issue aims to identify the current progress in the use of SAILs for preparing nanostructured systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical application, including discussions about fundamental aspects of the structural organization (supramolecular assembly) of ILs and other components (e.g., polymers) of the systems.

Dr. Clarissa P. Frizzo
Guest Editor

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• ionic liquids (ILs)
• surface-active ionic liquids (SAILs)
• formulations
• nanostructured systems
• drug delivery
• biomedicine
• nanomedicine