Synthesis and pH-dependent micellization of diblock copolymer mixtures

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2009 Jan 15;329(2):235-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.09.080. Epub 2008 Oct 4.

Abstract

This work focused on the preparation and the aqueous solution properties of hybrid polymeric micelles consisting of a hydrophobic poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) core and a mixed shell of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and pH-sensitive poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP). The hybrid micelles were successfully prepared by the rapid addition of acidic water to a binary solution of PCL(34)-b-PEO(114) and PCL(32)-b-P2VP(52) diblock copolymers in N,N-dimethylformamide. These micelles were pH-responsive as result of the pH-dependent ionization of the P2VP block. The impact of pH on the self-assembly of the binary mixture of diblocks-thus on the composition, shape, size and surface properties of the micelles-was studied by a variety of experimental techniques, i.e., dynamic and static light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, Zeta potential, fluorescence spectroscopy and complement hemolytic 50 test.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Materials Testing
  • Micelles*
  • Particle Size
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Micelles
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • polycaprolactone
  • Polyethylene Glycols