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Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Multicompartment micelles from pH-responsive miktoarm star block terpolymers
Chun Liu1, Marc A Hillmyer, Timothy P Lodge
1Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 15, 2009
Summary
We synthesized pH-responsive star polymers (mu-SODA) that change from spherical micelles to multicompartment micelles as pH increases. This transformation is driven by the pH-dependent behavior of poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate] (PDMAEA).
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- pH-responsive polymers are crucial for targeted drug delivery and smart materials.
- Miktoarm star block terpolymers offer complex architectures for advanced applications.
- Poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate] (PDMAEA) exhibits tunable hydrophilicity based on pH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel pH-responsive miktoarm star block terpolymers (mu-SODA).
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior of mu-SODA in aqueous solutions.
- To understand the influence of pH on micelle morphology.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis via sequential living anionic polymerization and RAFT polymerization.
- Characterization of polymer architecture and composition.
- Analysis of micelle formation and morphology using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM).
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of mu-[polystyrene][poly(ethylene oxide)][poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate)] (mu-SODA).
- Demonstrated pH-dependent self-assembly of mu-SODA in water.
- Observed a transition from mixed corona spherical micelles to multicompartment micelles with increasing pH.
Conclusions:
- Mu-SODA terpolymers exhibit tunable pH-responsive self-assembly.
- The observed morphological transition is attributed to the pH-dependent properties of PDMAEA and its immiscibility with polystyrene (PS).
- These findings are significant for developing advanced nanomaterials with controlled architectures.
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