pH-controlled, polymer-mediated assembly of polymer micelle nanoparticles

Langmuir. 2007 Jan 16;23(2):488-95. doi: 10.1021/la0623580.

Abstract

We describe pH-controlled, polymer-mediated assembly of polymer micelles in aqueous media based on reversible complexation between the micelles of pyrene-labeled poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(carboxylic acid) copolymers and proton-accepting water-soluble polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOz), and poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). The key factor determining assembly phenomena was identified as the modulation of hydrogen-bonding interaction between ionizable anionic micellar shells and the proton-accepting polymers by the pH control. As pH decreased from 7.4 to 2.0, the mixture of the polymer micelles and polymers underwent assembly and formed solid hybrids at specific pH values. The micelles assembled in the hybrid could be reversibly dispersed as micelles above specific pH ranges. The assembly/disassembly behavior as well as phase transitions of the micelle/proton-accepting polymer could be precisely controlled by adjusting pH. This assembling behavior depended on the rationally designed parameters such as the chemical structure and length of micellar shell-forming poly(carboxylic acid)s and the class of proton-accepting polymers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry, Physical / methods
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Micelles*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Models, Chemical
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Particle Size
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles
  • Polymers
  • Polyethylene Glycols