Micelle vs. vesicle formation controlled by distal functionalization of C₆₀-PEG conjugates

An amphiphilic C₆₀-PEG conjugate was modified by the addition of cationic moieties in the hydrophobic C₆₀ part to provide the related bis- and tris-adducts and their self-assembling structures were compared. All of these materials were water-soluble and their supramolecular structures were investigated in the aqueous phase using tensiometry, DLS, and STEM techniques. While mono- and bis-adducts formed micelle-type supramolecular structures, the tris-one with two additional cationic pyrrolidine groups showed the formation of larger particles as indicated by DLS data. Further, the STEM image of the tris-adduct showed a vesicle-type supramolecular structure with, presumably, an internal water-phase inside.