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How Far Are Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles in Solution from the Globular State?
José A Pomposo1,2,3, Irma Perez-Baena1, Federica Lo Verso1,4
1Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Materials Physics Center, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 20, 2022
Summary
Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) in solution are more sparse than globular, unlike their intended protein-like structure. This study analyzes SCNP size data to understand their noncompact morphology and suggests synthesis guidelines for true globular forms.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) are unimolecular nano-objects formed by intramolecular bonding of a single polymer chain.
- Potential applications of SCNPs often depend on achieving a compact, globular conformation, similar to proteins.
- Existing literature and simulations suggest SCNPs in solution tend to adopt sparse, non-globular configurations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile and analyze size data for various SCNPs in solution from existing literature.
- To compare the solution conformations of SCNPs with compact globular states of similar molar mass.
- To quantify the deviation of SCNPs from a compact globule and explore the physical mechanisms behind their morphology.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of SCNP size data from diverse literature sources, encompassing both covalently and noncovalently bonded SCNPs.
- Comparative analysis of compiled SCNP size data against theoretical or experimental data for compact globules of equivalent molar mass.
- Application of size scaling laws to quantify the departure from globular conformation and compare with protein folding behaviors.
Main Results:
- SCNPs in solution, across various bonding types, consistently exhibit more expanded conformations than compact globules of the same molar mass.
- Size scaling laws reveal a significant departure from the globular state, with quantitative measures provided.
- Comparison with protein conformations highlights that SCNPs are generally more extended than folded proteins and even intrinsically disordered proteins.
Conclusions:
- The inherent nature of intramolecular bonding and polymer chain behavior leads to noncompact morphologies in SCNPs in solution.
- Understanding these size scaling deviations is crucial for tailoring SCNP properties for specific applications.
- Guidelines are proposed for future synthesis strategies aimed at achieving true globular single-chain nanoparticles in solution.
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