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Pathway dependent shape-transformation of azide-decorated polymersomes
Hailong Che1, Lafayette N J de Windt1, Jianzhi Zhu1
1Eindhoven University of Technology, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, P.O. Box 513 (STO 3.41), 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. j.c.m.v.hest@tue.nl l.k.e.a.abdelmohsen@tue.nl.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 24, 2020
Summary
Poly(ethylene glycol)-polystyrene (PEG-PS) polymersomes transform into inverse shapes. Azide groups on PEG chains control shape deformation via altered hydrophilic domain volumes, simplifying access to complex morphologies.
Area of Science:
- Polymer science
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymersomes are vesicle-like structures formed from polymers.
- Controlling polymersome morphology is crucial for applications.
- Complex polymer architectures are often needed for intricate shapes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the shape transformation of poly(ethylene glycol)-polystyrene (PEG-PS) polymersomes.
- To explore the role of salt concentration and surface modification in directing morphology.
- To achieve ordered inverse morphologies using a simple modification.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PEG-PS polymersomes with azide end-groups.
- Controlled variation of salt concentration in the medium.
- Analysis of polymersome shape transformation using microscopy and other characterization techniques.
Main Results:
- PEG-PS polymersomes transformed into ordered inverse morphologies.
- Salt concentration and azide group presence directed the shape deformation pathway.
- Azide moieties induced differential hydrodynamic volumes in hydrophilic domains, controlling spontaneous curvature.
Conclusions:
- A simple modification (azide end-groups) allows control over polymersome shape transformation.
- This method provides access to intricate morphologies previously requiring complex polymers.
- The findings offer a straightforward approach to designing advanced polymer nanostructures.
