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Depth profile of free volume in a mixture and copolymers of poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone) and poly(ethylene glycol) studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy.

Effect of hydrogen bonding on the depth profile of the free-volume in a mixture (weight ratio of 65:35) of poly(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and the copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PVP-PEGDA) and monomethacrylate (PVP-PEGMMA) was studied using positron annihilation spectroscopy. Doppler broadening energy spectra of annihilation radiation and positron annihilation lifetime were measured as a function of positron incident energy (0-30 keV). Significant variations of the free-volume depth profile in terms of the S parameter, ortho-positronium lifetime, intensity, and lifetime distribution are observed as a result of the hydrogen-bonding replacement of covalent bonds. The polymer mixture with hydrogen bonding through two sides of PEG short chains has a larger free volume and a wider distribution than the comb-structured PVP-PEGMMA and the network structured PVP-PEGDA. A longer ortho-positronium lifetime is observed near the surface than in the bulk. This is interpreted in terms of surface effect, free volume, and hydrogen bonding for drug delivery applications of polymeric materials.

Drug Carriers↗

Polyion complex micelles of pDNA with acetal-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) block copolymer as the gene carrier system: physicochemical properties of micelles relevant to gene transfection efficacy.

An acetal-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (acetal-PEG-PAMA) block copolymer spontaneously associated with plasmid DNA (pDNA) to form water-soluble complexes (polyion complex micelle: PIC micelle) in aqueous solution. Physicochemical characteristics and transfection efficiency of the PIC micelles thus prepared were studied here, focusing on the residual molar mixing ratio (N/P ratio) of AMA units in acetal-PEG-PAMA to the phosphate units in pDNA. With the N/P ratio increasing to unity, acetal-PEG-PAMA cooperatively formed complex micelles with pDNA through electrostatic interaction, allowing pDNA to condense effectively. Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed that the PIC micelle at N/P > or = 3 had a constant size of approximately 90-100 nm. Eventually, acetal-PEG-PAMA/pDNA micelles underwent no precipitation even after long-term storage for more than 1 month at all N/P ratios. The PIC micelles were stable even in the presence of excess polyanions, poly(vinyl sulfate), in contrast to polyplexes based on the PAMA homopolymer, yet this stabilization effect was highly dependent on the N/P ratio to reach a plateau at N/P = 3-4. This character may be attributed to the increased hydrophobicity in the vicinity of the complexed pDNA. Furthermore, the pDNA in the micelle was adequately protected from DNase I attack. The transfection ability of the PIC micelles toward 293 cells was remarkably enhanced with an increasing N/P ratio as high as 25. The zeta-potential of the micelles with a high N/P ratio was an appreciably large positive value, suggesting a noncooperative micelle formation. This deviated micellar composition with an excess cationic nature as well as the presence of free acetal-PEG-PAMA may play a substantial role in the enhanced transfection efficiency of the PIC micelle system in the high N/P ratio (approximately 25) region.

Cations↗

Study of the synthesis, crystallization, and morphology of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymers.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymers PEG-PCL were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone using monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) as the macroinitiator and calcium ammoniate as the catalyst. Obvious mutual influence between PEG and PCL crystallization was studied by altering the relative block length. Fixing the length of the PEG block (Mn = 5000) and increasing the length of the PCL block, the crystallization temperature of the PCL block rose gradually from 1 to about 35 degrees C while that of the PEG block dropped from 36 to -6.6 degrees C. Meanwhile, the melting temperature of the PCL block went up from 30 to 60 degrees C, while that of the PEG block declined from 60 to 41 degrees C. If the PCL block was longer than the PEG block, the former would crystallize first when cooling from a molten state and led to obviously imperfect crystallization of PEG and vice versa. And they both crystallized at the same temperature, if their weight fractions were equal. We found that the PEG block could still crystallize at -6.6 degrees C even when its weight fraction is only 14%. A unique morphology of concentric spherulites was observed for PEG5000-PCL5000. According to their morphology and real-time growth rates, it is concluded that the central and outer sections in the concentric spherulites were PCL and PEG, respectively, and during the formation of the concentric spherulite, the PEG crystallized quickly from the free space of the PCL crystal at the earlier stage, followed by outgrowing from the PCL spherulites in the direction of right angles to the circle boundaries until the entire area was occupied.

Crystallization↗

Heparin-coupled poly(poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate)-Si(111) hybrids and their blood compatible surfaces.

Well-defined (nearly monodispersed) poly(poly(ethylene glycol)monomethacrylate)-Si hybrids were prepared via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of the poly(ethylene glycol)monomethacrylate (PEGMA) macromonomer on the hydrogen-terminated Si(111) surface (Si-H surface). Both the active chloride groups at the chain ends (from the ATRP process) and the chloride groups converted from some ( approximately 32%) of the -OH groups of the Si-C bonded PEGMA polymer, or P(PEGMA), brushes were used as leaving groups for the covalent coupling of heparin. For the heparinized P(PEGMA)-Si hybrid surfaces, protein adsorption and platelet adhesion were significantly suppressed. The well-defined and dense P(PEGMA) brushes, prepared from surface-initiated ATRP, had allowed the immobilization of a relatively high concentration of heparin (about 14 mug/cm(2)). The resulting silicon surface exhibited significantly improved antithrombogenecity with a plasma recalcification time (PRT) of about 150 min. The persistence of high bioactivity for the immobilized heparin on the hybrid surfaces can be attributed to the biocompatibility of the PEGMA units, as well as their role as spacers in providing the immobilized heparin with a higher degree of conformational freedom in a more hydrophilic environment. Thus, the heparin-coupled P(PEGMA)-Si hybrids with anti-fouling and antithrombogenic surfaces are potentially useful in silicon-based implantable devices and tissue engineering.

Acrylates↗

Thermogelling aqueous solutions of alternating multiblock copolymers of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol).

We are reporting alternating multiblock copolymers of poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous solution (> 15 wt %) undergoing sol-gel-sol transition as the temperature increases from 20 to 60 degrees C. Micelles of the multiblock copolymers (in water) are about 20 nm in radius at low temperature. They are aggregated to a larger size as the temperature increases, which should play a critical role in the sol-to-gel transition. The transition temperature and gel window were affected by the molecular weight and composition of the multiblock copolymer. In particular, the aqueous solution of an alternating multiblock copolymer (Mn approximately 6700 daltons) prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) (Mn approximately 600 daltons) and poly(L-lactic acid) (Mn approximately 1300 daltons) showed a maximum modulus at body temperature (37 degrees C). The in situ gel forming ability of the polymer aqueous solution in vivo as well as in vitro indicates that it can be a promising injectable biomaterial.

Animals↗

Plasticization of poly(L-lactide) with poly(propylene glycol).

A new plasticizer for poly(L-lactide) (PLA)-poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) is proposed. The advantage of using PPG is that it does not crystallize, has low glass transition temperature, and is miscible with PLA. PLA was plasticized with PPGs with nominal Mw of 425 and 1000 g/mol. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), long known as a plasticizer for PLA, with nominal Mw of 600 g/mol, was also used to plasticize PLA for comparison. The thermal and tensile properties of PLA and PLA with 5-12.5 wt % of the plasticizers were studied. In blends of PLA with PPGs the glass transition temperature was lower than that of neat PLA. Both PPGs enhanced the crystallizability of PLA albeit less than PEG. All of the plasticizers increased also the ability of PLA to plastic deformation which was reflected in a decrease of yield stress and in an increase of elongation at break. The effect was enhanced by the higher PPG content and also by lower molecular weight of PPG. A phase separation occurred only in the blend containing 12.5 wt % of PPG with higher molecular weight. The evidences of crazing were found in deformed samples of PLA with low plasticizer content, whereas the samples with higher content of plasticizers crystallized due to deformation.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Micellization phenomena of amphiphilic block copolymers based on methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and either crystalline or amorphous poly(caprolactone-b-lactide).

This study focuses on the aggregation behavior of the biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymers based on methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as a hydrophilic block and either crystalline poly(caprolactone-b-l-lactide) (P(CL-LLA)) or amorphous poly(caprolactone-b-D,L-lactide) (P(CL-DLLA)) as a hydrophobic block. These block copolymers have a strong tendency to form micelles in aqueous medium, with very low critical micelle concentrations (CMCs). The CMC of P(CL-LLA)-b-mPEG is higher than that of P(CL-DLLA)-b-mPEG when the mPEG block has the same molecular weight. Furthermore, the partition equilibrium coefficient (K(v)) of pyrene in the micellar solution of P(CL-LLA)-b-mPEG copolymer was lower than that of P(CL-DLLA)-b-mPEG copolymer when the mPEG block was the same length. These differences were believed to be related to the physical state of the core-forming blocks, i.e., the crystalline P(CL-LLA) block and the amorphous P(CL-DLLA) block. The TEM images showed that micelles formed by P(CL-LLA)-b-mPEG assembled in a cylindrical morphology, whereas those formed by P(CL-DLLA)-b-mPEG took a classical spherical shape. In addition, with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analyses, it is believed that the crystallization tendency of the core-forming blocks is the main factor governing the morphology of micelles in water. A possible mechanism for the cylindrical assembly morphology was discussed.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Alpha-helical-within-discotic columnar structures of a complex between poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(l-lysine) and a hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene.

Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(l-lysine) (PEO-PLL) was complexed with an amphiphilic hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC). This produced a thermotropic liquid crystalline material (PEO-PLL-HBC), which was investigated by FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry as well as by wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering. It was found that the poly(l-lysine) blocks form an alpha-helical secondary structure. Each helix is surrounded symmetrically by six discotic columns of HBC, which gives an alpha-helical-within-discotic column structural entity. The dense packing of these entities produces hexagonal sublattices (formed by the columns) in the frame of a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice (formed by the helices). An order-order transition from a columnar structure Col1 to Col2 was found at 54 degrees C. The unit cell constants are 5.75 nm (Col1) and 6.60 nm (Col2). The larger unit cell size of Col2 was explained by a higher intracolumnar order of the latter in which the packing distance of the disklike HBC cores is well-defined (0.353 nm). PEO-PLL-HBC combines essential features of liquid crystals with a basic structural element of proteins into a single material.

Biomimetic Materials↗

Rendering poly(amidoamine) or poly(propylenimine) dendrimers temperature sensitive.

The poly(amidoamine) dendrimers having terminal isobutyramide (IBAM) groups were prepared by the reaction of isobutyric acid and the amine-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers with generations (G) of 2 to 5 by using a condensing agent, 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. 1H and 13C NMR revealed that an IBAM group was attached to essentially every chain end of the dendrimers. While the IBAM-terminated G2 dendrimer was soluble in water, the IBAM-terminated G3, G4, and G5 dendrimers exhibited the lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) at 75, 61, and 43 degrees C, respectively. Because the density of the terminal IBAM groups in the periphery of the dendrimer progressively increases with increasing dendrimer generation, the interaction of the IBAM groups might take place more efficiently, resulting in a remarkable decrease in the LCST. In addition, attachment of IBAM groups to poly(propylenimine) dendrimers could give the temperature-sensitive property, indicating that this is an efficient method to render dendrimers temperature sensitive.

Journal Article↗

Control of pi-stacking for highly emissive poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s: synthesis and photoluminescence of new tricyclodecane substituted bulky poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s and its copolymers.

In the present work, we have demonstrated a facile approach to increase the luminescence of the poly (p-phenylenevinylene)s via controlling the molecular aggregates induced by pi-stacking. We have synthesized new bulky tricyclodecane (TCD) substituted PPVs: poly(2-methoxy-5-tricyclodecanemethyleneoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MTCD-PPV), poly(bis-2,5-tricyclodecanemethyleneoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (BTCD-PPV), and a series of symmetrically substituted bulky PPV copolymers (P-1-P-7) covering the entire composition range from 0 to 100 mol %. The structures of the monomers and polymers were confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR, and the molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography. The composition analysis by NMR revealed that the bulky monomer was highly reactive and the incorporation of bulky units in MEH-PPV increased irrespective of the feed ratio. The polymers possess good solubility, high molecular weights, good thermal stability, and so forth. The molecular weights of the PPV copolymers were also significantly affected by the bulky substitution: the higher the incorporation of bulky units, the lower the molecular weight. The absorption and emission studies revealed that there was no influence on the MEH-PPV by TCD substitution in solution whereas in the solid state the photoluminescence intensity of PPV increased more than 10 times. The luminescence increase in PPV was observed throughout the entire bulk and was not confined to any particular domain in the polymer. The bulky PPV copolymers showed that both the luminescence intensity (in film) and quantum yields (in solution) increased with an increase in the extent of BTCD incorporation in the MEH-PPV and attained a maximum for 50% BTCD. The TCD unit has thus proved to be an efficient bulky susbstituent for PPV as it controls the pi-stack-induced molecular aggregates in the polymer chains by increasing the interchain distances. The new bulky PPV copolymers are highly soluble, thermally stable, and highly luminescent besides being economically cheap compared to the other materials reported so far for the bulkier approach in pi-conjugated materials.

Journal Article↗

Remarkable increase in nuclease resistance of plasmid DNA through supramolecular assembly with poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lysine) block copolymer.

Supramolecular associates of DNA with Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lysine) block copolymers (PEG-PLL) were prepared in aqueous milieu, and the water solubility under charge-neutralized (stoichiometric) conditions was maintained. Associates thus prepared achieved remarkable resistance against nuclease attack, probably due to the formation of PEG palisade surrounding the ion-complexed core of the DNA with the PLL segment of the block copolymer. Further, to estimate the stability of the associate, the rate of interexchange reaction of DNA in the associate with poly(vinyl sulfonate) was evaluated from a method using a metachromasy of toluidine blue dye. Of interest, the nuclease resistance of DNA in PEG-PLL/DNA associate had an inverse correlation with the rate of interexchange reaction and, thus, progressively increased with an increase in the molecular weight of PLL segment in the block copolymer, indicating the substantial importance of block copolymer design for DNA stabilization.

Animals↗

Mixed self-assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers and sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous solution.

Interaction of amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers with anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been investigated in aqueous solution. Formation of mixed micelles has been confirmed by surface tension measurements, whereas the influence of the surfactant on the copolymer self-assembling has been studied by measurement of the 1H NMR self-diffusion coefficients and by small-angle neutron scattering. As a rule, the surfactant decreases the heterogeneity of the micellar structures formed by the copolymer in water. Moreover, increasing the content of SDS results in the increasingly more important extension of the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) corona chains and the copolymer micelle deaggregation. The stability of the micelles against SDS increases with the length of the hydrophobic block. Preliminary two-dimensional NMR measurements with nuclear Overhauser enhancement have confirmed the spatial vicinity between SDS and the constitutive blocks of the copolymer.

Diffusion↗

Drying of films formed by ordered poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) block copolymer gels.

The drying of hydrogel films formed by poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) block copolymers (Pluronic P105 and Pluronic L64) is investigated at various air relative humidity (RH) conditions in the range 11-94%. These amphiphilic block copolymers self-assemble to form a variety of ordered (lyotropic liquid crystalline) structures as the water content decreases. The amount of water lost increases linearly with the drying time initially (constant rate region, stage I). After this linear region, a falling rate is observed (stage II). The drying rate increases with decreasing RH, thus greatly shortening the drying time. A decrease of the initial film thickness or a decrease in the initial water content shortens the drying time; however, the drying mechanism remains the same. Analysis of the experimental data shows that the hydration level in the Pluronic hydrogel mainly determines the drying rate, rather than the type of ordered structure formed. Two distinct regions (liquid/gel and solid/crystalline) are observed in the drying isotherm for PEO-PPO block copolymers and homopolymer poly(ethylene glycol)s. A model for one-dimensional water diffusion is used to fit the experimental drying results at different RH, initial film thickness, and initial water content conditions. The model accounts for the shrinkage of the film during drying and for a water diffusion coefficient that is a function of the water concentration in the film. For the experimental conditions considered here, the Biot number (Bi) is less than unity and the drying is mainly limited by evaporation at the film surface. The diffusion model is used to obtain information for cases where Bi > 1.

Diffusion↗

PH effects in the complex formation and blending of poly(acrylic acid) with poly(ethylene oxide).

The effect of pH on the complex formation between poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been studied in aqueous solutions by turbidimetric and fluorescent methods. It was shown that the formation of insoluble interpolymer complexes is observed below a certain critical pH of complexation (pH(crit1)). The formation of hydrophilic interpolymer associates is possible above pH(crit1) and below a certain pH(crit2). The effects of polymer concentrations in solution and PEO molecular weight as well as inorganic salt addition on these critical pH values were studied. The polymeric films based on blends of PAA and PEO were prepared by casting from aqueous solutions with different pHs. These films were characterized by light transmittance measurements and differential scanning calorimetry. The existence of the pH value above which the polymers form an immiscible blend was demonstrated. The transitions between the interpolymer complex, miscible blend, and immiscible blend caused by pH changes are discussed. The recommendations for preparation of homogeneous miscible films based on compositions of poly(carboxylic acids) and various nonionic water-soluble polymers are presented.

Journal Article↗

Target-specific cellular uptake of PLGA nanoparticles coated with poly(L-lysine)-poly(ethylene glycol)-folate conjugate.

Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with anionic surface charge were surface coated with cationic di-block copolymer, poly(L-lysine)-poly(ethylene glycol)-folate (PLL-PEG-FOL) conjugate, for enhancing their site-specific intracellular delivery against folate receptor overexpressing cancer cells. The PLGA nanoparticles coated with the conjugate were characterized in terms of size, surface charge, and change in surface composition by XPS. By employing the flow cytometry method and confocal image analysis, the extent of cellular uptake was comparatively evaluated under various conditions. PLL-PEG-FOL coated PLGA nanoparticles demonstrated far greater extent of cellular uptake to KB cells, suggesting that they were mainly taken up by folate receptor-mediated endocytosis. The enhanced cellular uptake was also observed even in the presence of serum proteins, possibly due to the densely seeded PEG chains. The PLL-PEG-FOL coated PLGA nanoparticles could be potentially applied for cancer cell targeted delivery of various therapeutic agents.

Carrier Proteins↗

Spontaneous formation of gold nanoparticles in poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) solutions: solvent quality and polymer structure effects.

We report here on the effects that the solution properties of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers have on the reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) hydrate (HAuCl4.3H2O) and the size of gold nanoparticles produced. The amphiphilic block copolymer solution properties were modulated by varying the temperature and solvent quality (water, formamide, and their mixtures). We identified two main factors, (i) block copolymer conformation or structure (e.g., loops vs entanglements, nonassociated polymers vs micelles) and (ii) interactions between AuCl4- ions and block copolymers (attractive ion-dipole interactions vs repulsive interactions due to hydrophobicity), to be important for controlling the competition between the reactivities of AuCl4- reduction in the bulk solution to form gold seeds and on the surface of gold seeds (particles) and the particle size determination. The particle size increase observed with increased temperature in aqueous solutions is attributed to enhanced hydrophobicity of the block copolymer, which favors AuCl4- reduction on the surface of seeds. The lower reactivity and higher particle sizes observed in formamide solutions are attributed to the shielding of ion-dipole interaction between AuCl4- ions and block copolymers by formamide, which overcomes the beneficial effects of formamide on the block copolymer conformation (lower micelle concentration).

Chlorides↗

Poly(thieno[3,4-b]thiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate): a low band gap, water dispersible conjugated polymer.

Herein we report the oxidative chemical polymerization of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene (T34bT) using several different oxidants including ferric sulfate, ammonium persulfate, and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of poly(styrenesulfonic acid) in water and properties of the resulting poly(thieno[3,4-b]thiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PT34bT-PSS) dispersion. The PT34bT-PSS is rendered a colloidal dispersion in water with a particle size diameter ranging between 180 and 220 nm depending on the oxidant used for polymerization. PT34bT-PSS films have band gaps of ca. 1 eV (1260 nm) as determined by the onset of the pi to pi transition from the vis-NIR spectrum with absorption maxima ranging from 1.4 eV (912 nm) to 1.7 eV (724 nm). The neutral and oxidized forms of PT34bT-PSS prepared from ferric sulfate dispersed in water were blue and lime green, respectively, whereas the neutral and oxidized forms of PT34bT-PSS prepared from ammonium persulfate and hydrogen peroxide were blue and blue-green, respectively. Spectral properties of the PT34bT-PSS dispersion can be tuned by the combination of oxidants. PT34bT-PSS films showed ca. 100% cation dominant ion transport behavior as determined by electrochemical gravimetry with each charge-discharge cycle and the doping level of the polymer was calculated to be 26%. Electrical conductivities for these polymers were found to be dependent on chemical oxidants used and varied from 10(-2) to 10(-4) S/cm.

Journal Article↗

Rheology and phase behavior of poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous solution.

The surface activity and the rheological properties of aqueous solutions of the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PnBA-b-PAA) were studied as a function of the degree of neutralization, alpha, of the poly(acrylic acid) block. Although the block copolymer spontaneously forms spherical micelles having a stretched PAA corona and a collapsed PnBA core in water for alpha > 0.1, the solutions do not exhibit any surface activity at this degree of neutralization. Cryo-TEM micrographs show that the radii of the hydrophobic core of the largest micelles are as long as the length of the hydrophobic chain. The micelles, however, have a broad size distribution, and on average, as shown by SANS, the micelles are only about half as long. At concentrations as low as 1 wt %, the solutions exhibit highly viscoelastic behavior and have a yield stress value depending on alpha. The globular micelles are highly ordered in the bulk phase, and the viscoelastic properties are a result of the dense packing of the micelles. The addition of salt or cationic surfactants dramatically decreases the viscosity of the solution. The observed properties seem to be due to electrostatic interactions between the PAA chains of the micelles.

Journal Article↗