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Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Published on: April 21, 2021

Polymersomes at the solid-liquid interface: Dynamic morphological transformation and lubrication.

Julia E Bartenstein¹, Xiaoyan Liu², Kathrin Lange¹

¹School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

|October 27, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Polymersomes, hollow spheres from block copolymers, show potential as aqueous lubricants. These structures significantly reduce friction on hydrophobic surfaces, indicating promising applications in lubrication technology.

Keywords:

Adsorption Block-copolymers Lubrication Polymer vesicles Polymersomes Self-assembly Solid-liquid interface

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Last Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Surface Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Polymersomes are self-assembled hollow spheres from amphiphilic block copolymers.
While widely studied for biomedical uses, their interfacial properties, especially lubrication, are underexplored.
Poly(butadiene)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PBD-PEO) polymersomes were chosen for this study.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the interfacial properties of PBD-PEO polymersomes.
To explore their behavior and lubrication potential on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces.
To understand the role of surface chemistry in polymersome adsorption and stability.

Main Methods:

Quantitative nanomechanical property mapping atomic force microscopy (QNM AFM) for morphology.
Colloidal probe AFM (CP-AFM) for friction and surface forces under confinement.
Study of polymersomes on mica, silica, and hydrophobized silica surfaces.

Main Results:

Polymersomes adsorbed to mica remained intact but flattened with low coverage.
On hydrophilic silica, polymersomes were unstable, rupturing into residues or bilayers.
On hydrophobized silica, polymersomes formed stable layers with higher coverage and significantly reduced friction.

Conclusions:

Polymersome stability and interfacial behavior depend strongly on surface hydrophobicity.
Reduced friction on hydrophobized surfaces suggests polymersomes are effective aqueous lubricants.
These findings highlight the potential of polymersomes in lubrication applications.