Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
Formation of bowl-shaped nanoparticles by self-assembly of cinnamic acid-modified dextran
Cuige Zhang1, Suhan Yang2, Ye Zhu2
1Key Laboratory of Food Colloids and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Biochemical Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, China.
Abstract:
The self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers has attracted much attention because of their various morphologies and potential applications. Bowl-shaped nanoparticles could apply in many aspects due to their interior cavity, specific concave structure and high surface area. In this study, dextran (Dex) was hydrophobic modified by cinnamic acid (CINN) via esterification reaction between the hydroxyl group of Dex and the carboxyl group of CINN. The modification degree of CINN could be achieved by changing the feed ratios between Dex, CINN and the coupling agent. The cinnamic acid-modified dextran (Dex-CINN) composed of Dex as hydrophilic segment and CINN as hydrophobic segment could self-assemble into bowl-shaped nanoparticles with a single dimple on the surface. Furthermore, the size of the dimples could be controlled by changing the modification degree of CINN, concentration of Dex-CINN and the rate of water addition. The morphologies of bowl-shaped nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).
