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Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure
Published on: April 21, 2021
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Thermally activated reversible shape switch of polymer particles
Tao Gong1, Kun Zhao, Wenxi Wang
1Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China. shaobingzhou@swjtu.cn shaobingzhou@hotmail.com.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed shape-switching polymer particles using biocompatible materials. These particles change shape with temperature, offering new possibilities for smart drug delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling drug carrier performance requires particles that can reversibly change shape in response to stimuli.
- Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers are essential for safe and effective drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate polymer particles capable of reversible shape-switching for advanced drug delivery applications.
- To investigate the use of a biocompatible polymer network for dynamic shape-changing capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polymer particles using a six-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (6A PEG-PCL) network.
- Utilizing a reversible two-way shape memory effect (2W-SME) triggered by cyclic heating and cooling (0 °C to 43 °C).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated polymer particles that can reversibly switch shape from spherical to elliptical.
- Shape-switching occurs both extracellularly and intracellularly under stress-free conditions.
- The 6A PEG-PCL network exhibits a reliable reversible two-way shape memory effect.
Conclusions:
- Developed a facile strategy for creating dynamically shape-switching polymer particles.
- These particles offer potential for engineering drug delivery carriers that can modulate phagocytosis by changing shape.
- The findings open exciting possibilities for smart, responsive drug delivery systems.
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