Polymerized ion pair amphiphile vesicles with pH-sensitive transformation and controlled release property

Ion pair amphiphiles (IPA) composed of one proton-deionizable single or double alkyl chain ammonium surfactant and one anionic carboxylate surfactant with polymerizable dithiolane ring are prepared to develop polymerized microcapsules that can recognize pH change and transform itself under basic condition, thus releasing encapsulated materials at the desired point. Combination of pH-sensitivity and polymeric solid structure, if fully developed, endows the IPA vesicle with smart function that is highly valuable in drug delivery application. Reasons for such high pH-sensitive vesicle transformation are sought from combined physical properties such as turbidity, zeta potential, surface tension, and release rate of marker through the vesicle membrane.