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Polymersomes from Amphiphilic Glycopolymers Containing Polymeric Liquid Crystal Grafts
Khalid Ferji1,2,3, Cécile Nouvel1,2, Jérôme Babin1,2
1Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Macromoléculaire LCPM, UMR 7375, Nancy F-54000, France.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 26, 2022
Summary
Novel polymersomes formed from amphiphilic grafted glycopolymers self-assembled in water. These dextran-based structures, featuring poly(diethylene glycol cholesteryl ether acrylate) grafts, create hollow vesicular formations.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymersomes are versatile vesicular structures with potential applications in drug delivery and nanotechnology.
- Designing novel polymers for controlled self-assembly remains a key challenge in materials science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel amphiphilic grafted glycopolymers for self-assembly into polymersomes.
- To investigate the influence of structural parameters on the self-assembly behavior of these glycopolymers in water.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of amphiphilic grafted glycopolymers with a dextran backbone and poly(diethylene glycol cholesteryl ether acrylate) grafts.
- Characterization of polymer properties, including surfactancy.
- Investigation of self-assembly using static and dynamic light scattering (SLS/DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM).
Main Results:
- Successful formation of polymersomes via self-assembly in water.
- Demonstrated control over structural parameters (Dex-gN-PDEGCholAF) to achieve desired vesicular structures.
- Characterization confirmed the formation of hollow vesicular structures.
Conclusions:
- Amphiphilic grafted glycopolymers can self-assemble into polymersomes in aqueous solutions.
- The design of dextran-based glycopolymers with specific grafts enables the formation of well-defined polymersomes.
- This study presents a new route for creating functional polymersomes for potential applications.
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