Formation of Stable and Monodispersive Polyion Complex Micelles in Aqueous Medium from Poly(L-lysine) And Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Poly(Aspartic Acid) Block Copolymer

Abstract

In this study, the formation of polyion complex micelles from a pair of poly(L-lysine) homopolymers (P(Lys)) and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(aspartic acid) block copolymers (PEG-P(Asp)) with varying chain length was demonstrated in aqueous medium. There exists the lower critical chain length in the charged segments of both P(Lys) and PEG-P(Asp) to form stable polyion complex micelles in nanometric scale. The scaled average characteristic line width (ΓTK²) was independent on the detection angles for all combinations, suggesting that the formed polyion complex micelles may have a spherical shape. Furthermore, the transitional diffusion coefficient (D_T) had no concentration dependence, indicating the micelle system was free from secondary aggregates (the cluster of micelles). It is of interest that the micellar size was almost constant (ca. 50 nm) regardless of the change in the chain length of the charged segments. Size distribution was extremely narrow, and the values of variance μ₂/Γ ²) were always less than 0.1. Laser-Doppler electrophoresis measurements revealed that the polyion complex micelles were electrically neutral, suggesting that the PEG corona surrounding the polyion complex core may contribute to their stable dispersion in an aqueous medium through steric repulsion of the tethered hydrophilic chain, in this case, PEG. This system was considerably stable against the change in ionic strength, and it maintained a constant diameter in the region below 0.4 M NaCl. However, they dissociated under high ionic strength condition as 0.6 M NaCl. The system may have potential utility to include charged peptides and nucleotides in the core, delivering these biologically useful substances into a target site in the body.     

Chiral Polymeric Micelles From Electrostatic Assembly Between Achiral Porphyrins and Block Copolymers

A chiral polymeric micelle is described, formed from the self‐assembly of TPPS and PEG₁₁₄‐b‐P(4VP)₃₈ in aqueous media based on their electrostatic interaction. The self‐assembly behavior is studied by DLS, SLS, TEM, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and CD spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that the resultant hybrid spherical micelles with a hybrid P(4VP)/TPPS core and a PEG shell show chiral signatures. In addition, the chiral micelles have a large dimension and biphasic segregated structure because of the formation of H‐aggregates and J‐aggregates in the micellar core.

     

Micellization and luminescence of PEG-b-P4VP/Europium(III)/1,10-phenanthroline complex

Luminescent micelles were prepared through the self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG₁₁₄-b-P4VP₆₁) and Europium(III) (Eu(III)), with P4VP/Eu(III) as the core, and PEG as the corona. 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) was assembled into the core of the micelles to sensitize the luminescence. The presence of Phen results into the increasing of apparent average hydrodynamic diameters (D_h^app {\hbox{D}}_{\rm{h}}^{\rm{app}} ) of the micelles. All Eu(III)-containing micelles emitted the characteristic fluorescence of Eu(III). The intensity of luminescence increased with the presence and the increasing quantity of Phen in the complex micelles due to the effective energy transferring of Phen in the “antenna effect”.     

Demetallation of α, β, γ, δ-tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphineiron(III) in sulfuric acid-ethanol-water media

The rate of demetallation of α, β, γ,δ-tetra(p-sulfophenyl)porphineiron (III), Fe(TPPS)^3-, was determined in sulfuric acid-ethanol-water media for 8.5-10.65M sulfuric acid at different temperatures. The overall reaction was the conversion of the complex Fe(TPPS)^3- into the diacid species H₄TPPS^2- without other spectrophotometrically important species being formed to an appreciable extent, as shown by three isosbestic points at 418, 462, and 563 nm. The rate was first order in the Fe(TPPS)^3- concentration. The pseudo-first-order rate constants k were exponentially dependent on the sulfuric acid concentration, and log k was linearly dependent on the Hammett acidity function –H₀. The average ΔH? and ΔS? values for five reaction media were 18.4 ± 1.4 kcal/mol and 19 ± 3 cal/°K · mol, respectively. The linear relationship between log k and (-H₀) and the approximately constant values of ΔH? ΔS? over the acid range investigated indicated that the same mechanism of demetallation was operative over this acid range. Because of the dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constants on the acidity of the medium, the mechanism probably involves the addition of protons to pyrrole N atoms to assist in the breaking of iron (III)-nitrogen bonds.     

Raspberry‐Like Aggregates Containing Secondary Nanospheres of Polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) Micelles

Summary: Raspberry‐like aggregates containing secondary nanospheres were studied. The formation of raspberry‐like aggregates was due to complexation between core‐shell microspheres and core‐corona micelles. The core‐shell microspheres were synthesized with soap‐free polymerization of styrene and methyl acrylic acid, which included carboxyl groups in the periphery. The micelles were self‐assembled by polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine), which contained pyridine groups in the corona. The driven force to form raspberry‐like aggregates was due to the affinity between the carboxyl and pyridine groups. The morphology of the raspberry‐like aggregates could be tuned by changing the ratio of the microspheres to micelles. IR measurements suggested that the raspberry‐like aggregates were like zwitterions.

TEM image of the raspberry‐like aggregates formed at a molar ratio of MAA to 4VP at 1:4.     

Cationic Porphyrin–Anionic Surfactant Mixtures for the Promotion of Self‐Organized 1:4 Ion Pairs in Water with Strong Aggregation Properties

We performed a systematic study on the spectroscopic and aggregation properties of stoichiometric mixtures (1:4) of the tetracationic meso‐tetrakis(4‐N‐methylpyridinium)porphyrin (H₂TMPyP) and three sodium alkylsulfate surfactants (tetradecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecylsulfate) in an aqueous solution. The objective was to build a supramolecular aggregate, which would favor the internalization of tetracationic porphyrins in cells without chemical modification of the structure of the porphyrin. We show that stoichiometric H₂TMPyP/alkylsulfate (1:4) mixtures lead to the formation of large hollow spherical aggregates (60–160 nm). The TEM images show that the membrane of these aggregates are composed of smaller aggregates, which are probably rod‐like micelles. These rod‐like micelles have a hydrophobic core composed of the alkyl chains of the alkylsulfate surfactant, whereas the charged surface corresponds to the tetracationic porphyrins.     

Dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy investigations on metallo-supramolecular aqueous micelles: evidence of secondary aggregation

Metallo-supramolecular diblock copolymers consisting of a polystyrene (PS) block connected to a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block by a bis(terpyridine)ruthenium complex (PS₂₀-[Ru]-PEO _y ) were used to prepare aqueous micelles. The length of the PS block was kept constant, while two PEOs of different molecular weight were used. The resulting hydrated micelles and aggregates were characterized by a combination of cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and dynamic light scattering measurements. The results were compared to those obtained for a covalent counterpart (PS₂₂-b-PEO₇₀). Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy allowed visualization of the PS core of the micelles. Moreover, the aggregates result from clustering of individual micelles.     

Self‐assembled complexes of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)

Polymer complexes were prepared from high molecular weight poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The hydrogen bonding interactions, phase behavior, and morphology of the complexes were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this A‐b‐B/C type block copolymer/homopolymer system, P4VP block of the block copolymer has strong intermolecular interaction with PAA which led to the formation of nanostructured micelles at various PAA concentrations. The pure PS‐b‐P4VP block copolymer showed a cylindrical rodlike morphology. Spherical micelles were observed in the complexes and the size of the micelles increased with increasing PAA concentration. The micelles are composed of hydrogen‐bonded PAA/P4VP core and non‐bonded PS corona. Finally, a model was proposed to explain the microphase morphology of complex based on the experimental results obtained. The selective swelling of the PS‐b‐P4VP block copolymer by PAA resulted in the formation of different micelles. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1192–1202, 2009     

A strategy to stabilize the confined chiral TPPS J-aggregate by ionic block copolymer

Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG-b-P4VP), with a poly-cation building block, forms electrostatic complexes with the J-type chiral pre-aggregates of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) in the water inner-phase of the TX-100 reverse microemulsion at pH 1.0 using l-tryptophan as the chiral source. The complexation with PEG₄₅-b-P4VP₆ prevents these chiral pre-aggregates from contacting with each other during the percolation of the droplets, so as to stabilize the circular dichroism intensity and the size of the complexes. After breaking the microemulsion, the PEG₄₅-b-P4VP₆/TPPS aggregates are also prevented from further clustering at optimized ratio of [polymer]/[TPPS], so these complex aggregates disperses in acetone with spherical morphology and well maintain their size and chiral signal for further storing. This method can be considered as one of extracting the confined chiral aggregates as an isolated form apart from the reverse microemulsion.     

Synthesis and characterization of pH sensitive poly(glycidol)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) block copolymers

Block copolymers of poly(glycidol)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) were obtained by ATRP of 4‐vinylpyridine initiated by ω‐(2‐chloropropionyl) poly(glycidol) macroinitiators. By changing the monomer/macroinitiator ratio in the synthesis polymers with varied P4VP/PGl molar ratio were obtained. The obtained block copolymers showed pH sensitive solubility. It was found that the linkage of a hydrophilic poly(glycidol) block to a P4VP influenced the pK_a value of P4VP. DLS measurements showed the formation of fully collapsed aggregates exceeding pH 4.7. Above this pH values the collapsed P4VP core of the aggregates was stabilized by a surrounding hydrophilic poly(glycidol) corona. The size of the aggregates depended significantly upon the composition of the block copolymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1782–1794, 2009     

Comparison of drug delivery properties of PEG-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-pdhpc micelles with different compositions

An anti-tumor drug doxorubicin was encapsulated in micelles of poly（ethylene glycol）-b-poly（2,2-dihydroxyl-methyl propylene carbonate）（PEG-b-PDHPC） diblock copolymers.The morphology of both blank micelles and drug loaded micelles was characterized by TEM.The in vitro drug release profiles of micelles were investigated.The cytotoxicity of the micelles was evaluated by incubating with Hela tumor cells and 3T3 fibroblasts.The drug loaded micelles were co-cultured with HepG2 cells to evaluate the in vitro anti-tumor efficacies.The results showed that the mean sizes of both micelles with different copolymer compositions increased after being loaded with drugs.The drug release rate of PEG₄₅-b-PDHPC₃₄ micelles was faster than that of mPEG₁₁₄-b-PDHPC₂₆,micelles.Both of the two block copolymers were non-toxic.The confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry results showed that both the drug loaded micelles could be internalized efficiently in HepG2 cells.The PEG₄₅-b-PDHPC₃₄ micelles exhibited higher anti-tumor activity comparing to mPEG₁₁₄-b-PDHPC₂₆ micelles.     

Polyion complex micelles formed from glucose oxidase and comb‐type polyelectrolyte with poly(ethylene glycol) grafts

The comb‐type polyelectrolyte, poly(ethylene glycol)‐graft‐poly(allyl amine) (PEG‐g‐PAA), was synthesized to prepare polyion complex (PIC) micelles with Aspergillus Niger Glucose oxidase (GOD). Even after mixing GOD and PEG‐g‐PAAs with various PEG contents, the resulting mixtures remained transparent but the mixture of GOD and PAA homopolymer immediately precipitated. In the mixtures prepared with a stoichiometric mixing ratio, the formation of PIC micelles with a core‐shell structure was suggested from dynamic and static light scattering measurements. Glucose, the substrate for GOD, could easily diffuse into the PIC micelles, and the GOD molecules were active even in the core of the PIC micelles. GOD didn't lose its enzymatic activity through entrapment into the PIC micelles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3842–3852, 2008     

meso-四(4-磺基苯基)卟啉(TPPS)在水及胶束体系中的二聚行为研究

研究了meso-四（4-磺基苯基）卟啉（TPPS）在胶束（TritonX－100）、KCl水溶液中的电子吸收光谱变化,计算了TPPS的二聚常数KD,用分光光度法研究了TPPS在KCI水溶液中的二聚反应动力学,提出了与实验结果相吻合的二聚机理．根据温度对二聚平衡的影响,计算了二聚平衡的乙和     

Effect of core-shell micelle formation on the redox properties of phenothiazine-labeled poly(ethyl glycidy ether)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)

Redox properties of phenothiazine-labeled poly(ethyl glycidy ether)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PT-EGE_n-b-EO_m) are reversibly changed by core-shell micelle formation. In the temperature range higher than the critical micellization temperature (cmt), the anodic potential of PT group positively shifts and concomitantly its anodic current decrease, or levels off compared to those of the reference polymer PT-EO_m without the thermo-responsive EGE_n segment. The former alteration is caused by incorporation of hydrophobic PT groups into a core of the micelle and the latter by the decrease in the diffusion coefficient of PT groups due to formation of the core-shell micelles. The cmt value and the temperature-dependent alteration in the redox properties strongly depend on the polymer structure, especially the length of thermo-responsive EGE_n segment. The electrochemically determined hydrodynamic radii of the polymer aggregates seem to be overestimated, compared to the values reported for the aggregates of other thermo-responsive polymers with similar molecular weights, implying the presence of electrochemically inactive PT groups in the copolymers having longer thermo-responsive segments.     

Polycaprolactone-b-Poly(ethylene oxide) Biocompatible Micelles as Drug Delivery Nanocarriers: Dynamic Light Scattering and Fluorescence Experiments

Summary: Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence experiments were carried out to study PCL₄₄-b-PEO₁₁₄ biocompatible micelles used as nanocarriers in drug delivery. Micelles prepared by a simple procedure (THF removal under nitrogen flow) exhibited a narrow size distribution with an average diameter of 100 nm. For micelles containing a hydrophobic model compound (pyrene) within the PCL core, a smaller average micellar size of 80 nm was observed, with a simultaneous broadening in the size distribution profile. In parallel to DLS results, fluorescence experiments showed evidence of pyrene encapsulation, and that the onset of the micellization process occurs at approximately 10/90 (v/v) THF/water mixtures in the case of PCL₄₄-b-PEO₁₁₄ polymer.     

The substituent effect on mesomorphic properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy)benzoates and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates

Abstract

The thermal properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy) benzo-ates (1) and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates (2) have been examined, where R = hydrogen, halogens, alkyl and alkoxy groups. The derivatives of compound 1 incorporating hydrogen, halogens, methoxy and nitro groups show a smectic A phase having a bilayer arrangement, and the others with a long alkoxy group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The derivatives of compound 2 incorporating halogens, and the nitro group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The alkoxy derivatives show a smectic C phase as well as the nematic phase. The nitro group at the lateral position tends to increase the ratio of the S_A-N transition temperature to the N-I. The effect of the nitro group on the smectic properties has been discussed in terms of the structural and electrostatic nature of the nitro group.     

Preparation of poly(styrene‐b‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) micelles surface‐linked with gold nanoparticles and thermo‐responsive ultraviolet–visible absorbance

Poly(styrene‐b‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PSt‐b‐PNIPAM) with dithiobenzoate terminal group was synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation‐transfer polymerization. The dithiobenzoate terminal group was converted into thiol terminal group with NaBH₄, resulting thiol‐terminated PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐SH. After PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐SH assembled into core‐shell micelles in aqueous solution, gold nanoparticles were in situ surface‐linked onto the micelles through the reduction of gold precursor anions with NaBH₄. Thus, temperature responsive core/shell micelles of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM surface‐linked with gold nanoparticles (PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles) were obtained. Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed the successful linkage of gold nanoparticles and the dependence of the number of gold nanoparticles per micelle on the molar ratio of HAuCl₄ to thiol group of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis demonstrated thermo‐responsive behavior of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles. Changing the temperature of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles led to the shrinkage of PNIPAM shell and allowed to tune the distance between gold nanoparticles. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy clearly showed the reversible modulation of UV–vis absorbance of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles upon heating and cooling. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5156–5163, 2007     

Size and morphology controllable core cross‐linked self‐aggregates from poly(ethylene glycol‐b‐succinimide) copolymers

We developed a simple route to prepare stabilized micelles and nanovesicles in aqueous solutions. A hydrophobic poly(succinimide) (PSI) was conjugated with the hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a new type of cross‐linkable unit. Spherical aggregates were formed when dissolving the amphiphilic PEG₆₈₂‐b‐PSI₁₃₀ copolymer in aqueous solutions directly, and polymer nanovesicles were prepared by a precipitation‐dialysis method using PEG₄₅₅‐b‐PSI₁₃₀ copolymer. Bifunctional primary amine was added to the micelle or nanovesicle solutions to prepare cross‐linked structures via aminolysis reaction of the succinimide units. The degree of cross‐linking was controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of the cross‐linker to the succinimide units. Increasing the degree of cross‐linking leads to the compaction of the micelle core thus reduced diameter. The cross‐linked polymer micelles or nanovesicles maintained their morphology in extremely diluted solutions because of their structural stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Crystal and molecular structure of (μ-p-CH3C6H4C2S) (μ-n-C3H7S)Fe2(CO)6Co2(CO)6

The crystal and molecular structure of the complex containing cobalt-carbon and iron-sulfur cluster cores, (μ-p-CH₃C₆H₄C₂S) (μ-n-C₃H₇S)Fe₂(CO)₆Co₂(CO)₆, has been determined by X-ray diffraction method. The crystals are triclinic, space group P&1bar;, with a — 9.139(2), b=9.610(1), c-17.183(2) Å, α = 84.36(1), β-89.45(1), γ=88.15(1)°, V-1501.0 ų; Z=2, D_c=1.74 g/cm³. R=0.072, Rw=0.081. The results of the structure determination show a cobalt-carbon cluster core formed through the reaction of (μ-p-CH₃C₆H₄C₂S)(μ-n-C₃H₇S)Fe₂(CO)₆ with Co₂(CO)₈. In the cobalt-carbon cluster core, the bond length of the original C≡C lengthened to 1.324 Å which is close to the typical value of carbon-carbon double bond. The groups connecting the carbons of the cluster core are in cis position and lie on the opposite side of cobalt atoms. In this complex, the conformation of —SC₃H₇ is e-type, while that of —SC₂C₆H₄CH₃ is a-type.