Formation of nanoarchitectures including subnanometer palladium clusters and their use as highly active catalysts

Subnanometer Pd clusters stabilized within micelles of random copolymers were formed by direct immobilization of Pd(0) via ligand exchange. The clusters were estimated to contain approximately seven Pd atoms on average (cluster diameter approximately 0.7 nm). Several Pd-containing micelle morphologies could be obtained by polymer cross-linking. These micelles containing Pd clusters were demonstrated to be efficient catalysts for hydrogenations and Heck reactions.     

Water-dispersible, uniform nanospheres by heating-enabled micellization of amphiphilic block copolymers in polar solvents

Uniform nanospheres with tunable size down to 30 nm were prepared simply by heating amphiphilic block copolymers in polar solvents. Unlike reverse micelles prepared in nonpolar, oily solvents, these nanospheres have a hydrophilic surface, giving them good dispersibility in water. Furthermore, they are present as individual, separated, rigid particles upon casting from the solution other than continuous thin films of merged micelles cast from micellar solution in nonpolar solvents. These nanospheres were generated by a heating-enabled micellization process in which the affinity between the solvent and the polymer chains as well as the segmental mobility of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks was enhanced, triggering the micellization of the glassy copolymers in polar solvents. This heating-enabled micellization produces purely well-defined nanospheres without interference of other morphologies. The micelle sizes and corona thickness are tunable mainly by changing the lengths of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks, respectively. The heating-enabled micellization route for the preparation of polymeric nanospheres is extremely simple, and is particularly advantageous in producing rigid, micellar nanospheres from block copolymers with long glassy, hydrophobic blocks which are otherwise difficult to prepare with high efficiency and purity. Furthermore, encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules (e.g., dyes) into micelle cores could be integrated into the heating-enabled micellization, leading to a simple and effective process for dye-labeled nanoparticles and drug carriers.     

Predicting the solution morphology of a sulfonated pentablock copolymer in binary solvent mixtures

The solution morphologies of a midblock-sulfonated pentablock copolymer in miscible polar/nonpolar solvent blends were characterized as a function of solvent composition and polymer concentration using small angle X-ray scattering. Three distinct solution morphologies are observed upon changing the composition of the solvent blend. At low weight fractions of polar solvent, spherical, sulfonated-core micelles are observed, while spherical, sulfonated-corona (inverted) micelles are observed at high weight fractions of polar solvent. Polymer solution scattering is observed at intermediate concentrations of polar solvent. Additionally, the characteristic dimensions of the sulfonated-core micelles were found to change strongly upon variation of the solvent blend composition, indicating that these solutions—and correspondingly the morphology and properties of polymer membranes into which they are cast—can be tuned through simple variations in the solvent blend chemistry. We demonstrate that the solution morphologies and the characteristic micelle dimensions of these complex pentablock copolymer/binary solvent blends can be reliably predicted by considering the relative interactions of each polymer block and the solvent blend using the Hansen solubility parameters. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 254–262     

Synthesis of organo-silane functionalized nanocrystal micelles and their self-assembly

We report a general method to synthesize gold nanocrystal micelles with organo-silane headgroups. The method involves encapsulation of monodisperse, hydrophobic gold nanocrystals within the core of a micelle of an amphiphilic silane precursor. Formation and stability of monodisperse gold NC micelles have been confirmed using UV-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Self-assembly of such nanocrystal micelles through siloxane hydrolysis and cross-linking leads to an ordered array with a face-centered-cubic mesostructure.     

Incorporation of block copolymer micelles into multilayer films for use as nanodelivery systems

This work demonstrates the potential application of stimulus responsive block copolymer micelles as triggerable delivery systems for use within multilayer films. Cationic, pH-responsive micelles of poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-block-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)] (PDMA-PDEA) were deposited on anionic polystyrene latex particles. The charge reversal of the surface and the amount of adsorbed polymer were monitored by zeta potential measurements and colloidal titrations, respectively. Prior to adsorption, the PDMA-PDEA micelles were loaded with a hydrophobic dye, and UV-vis spectroscopy was used to determine the amount of dye encapsulated within a monolayer of micelles. It was found that subtle chemical modification of the PDMA-PDEA diblock copolymer via permanent quaternization of the PDEA block results in micelles with tunable loading capacities. Multilayers of cationic micelles of partially quaternized PDMA-PDEA and anionic polyelectrolyte (poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)) were deposited on the surface of polystyrene latex particles by sequential adsorption. UV-vis analysis of the dye present within the multilayer after the addition of each layer demonstrates that the micelles are sufficiently robust to retain encapsulated dye after multiple adsorption/washing cycles and can thus create a film that can be increasingly loaded with dye as more micelle layers are adsorbed. Multiple washing cycles were performed on micellar monolayers of PDMA-PDEA to demonstrate how such systems can be used to bring about triggerable release of actives. When performing several consecutive washing steps at pH 9.3, the micelle structure of the PDMA-PDEA micelles in the monolayer is retained, resulting in only a small reduction in the amount of encapsulated dye. In contrast, washing at pH 4, the structure of the micelle layers is severely disrupted, resulting in a fast release of the encapsulated dye into the bulk. Finally, if a sufficient number of micelle/homopolyelectrolyte layers are adsorbed, it is possible to selectively dissolve the latex template, resulting in hollow capsules.     

Morphologies of multicompartment micelles formed by ABC miktoarm star terpolymers

Several new multicompartment micellar structures have been identified by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryoTEM) from the aqueous self-assembly of mu-[poly(ethylethylene)][poly(ethylene oxide)][poly(perfluoropropylene oxide)] (mu-EOF) miktoarm star terpolymers. This work extends our previous studies, in which it was found that, upon decreasing the length of the hydrophilic block (O), the resulting micelles evolved from "hamburger" micelles to segmented worms and ultimately to nanostructured bilayers and vesicles. In the terpolymers examined here segmented ribbons and bilayers were found at an intermediate composition between segmented worms and nanostructured bilayers, provided that the fluoropolymer (F) was the minority component in the micelle core. On the other hand, when the F block exceeded the chain length of the hydrocarbon block (E), the superhydrophobic F block imposed a "double frustration" on the self-assembly of the mu-EOF(2-9-5) terpolymer; while F prefers to minimize its interfacial contact with the O corona, it must occupy the majority of the micellar core. Therefore, a richer variety of multicompartment micelles, including well-defined segmented worms, raspberry-like micelles, and multicompartmentalized worms, were formed from one terpolymer, as revealed by cryoTEM. Despite the complexity and variety of the observed aggregate morphologies, a small number of common structural elements can be invoked to interpret the observed micelles and to relate a given structure to the terpolymer composition.     

Variegated micelle surfaces: correlating the microstructure of mixed surfactant micelles with bulk solution properties

Electron paramagnetic resonance, viscosity, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements have been used to study the interaction of mixed anionic/nonionic surfactant micelles with the polyampholytic protein gelatin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the nonionic surfactant dodecylmalono-bis-N-methylglucamide (C12BNMG) were chosen as "interacting" and "noninteracting" surfactants, respectively; SDS micelles bind strongly to gelatin but C12BNMG micelles do not. Further, the two surfactants interact synergistically in the absence of the gelatin. The effects of total surfactant concentration and surfactant mole fraction have been investigated. Previous work (Griffiths et al. Langmuir 2000, 16 (26), 9983-9990) has shown that above a critical solution mole fraction, mixed micelles bind to gelatin. This critical mole fraction corresponds to a micelle surface that has no displaceable water (Griffiths et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105 (31), 7465). On binding of the mixed micelle, the bulk solution viscosity increases, with the viscosity-surfactant concentration behavior being strongly dependent on the solution surfactant mole fraction. The viscosity at a stoichiometry of approximately one micelle per gelatin molecule observed in SDS-rich mixtures scales with the surface area of the micelle occupied by the interacting surfactant, SDS. Below the critical solution mole fraction, there is no significant increase in viscosity with increasing surfactant concentration. Further, the SANS behavior of the gelatin/mixed surfactant systems below the critical micelle mole fraction can be described as a simple summation of those arising from the separate gelatin and binary mixed surfactant micelles. By contrast, for systems above the critical micelle mole fraction, the SANS data cannot be described by such a simple approach. No signature from any unperturbed gelatin could be detected in the gelatin/mixed surfactant system. The gelatin scattering is very similar in form to the surfactant scattering, confirming the widely accepted picture that the polymer "wraps" around the micelle surface. The gelatin scattering in the presence of deuterated surfactants is insensitive to the micelle composition provided the composition is above the critical value, suggesting that the viscosity enhancement observed arises from the number and strength of the micelle-polymer contact points rather than the gelatin conformation per se.     

Micelles of poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine-b-ethylene oxide) with blended polystyrene core and their application to the synthesis of hollow silica nanospheres

Core-shell-corona (CSC) micelles of asymmetric triblock copolymer, poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-PVP-PEO), containing polystyrene homopolymer (homo-PS) in the core were successfully prepared in aqueous media. The influence of homo-PS contents over the formation of the micelles was investigated thoroughly by various techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that the size of the PS core of the micelle was increased by the addition of homo-PS as observed by DLS and TEM techniques. The SEM and TEM measurements confirm the spherical morphology of the micelles and enlargement of PS core over the addition of homo-PS. The increase in the PS core volume of the PS-PVP-PEO micelles is attributed to the insertion of homo-PS in the PS core. The micelles have also been demonstrated as facile soft templates for synthesis of hollow silica nanospheres. The average diameter of the spherical hollow particles could be tuned between 30.6 and 38.8 nm with cavity sizes ranging from 20.7 to 28.5 nm using tetramethoxysilane as silica precursors under mild acidic conditions. The facile synthesis of hollow silica using the CSC micelles with different homo-PS contents indicates that the hollow void size can be controlled within a range of several nanometers.     

Synthesis of hollow CaCO3 nanospheres templated by micelles of poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid-b-ethylene glycol) in aqueous solutions

An asymmetric triblock copolymer, poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid-b-ethylene glycol) (PS-b-PAA-b-PEG), was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer controlled radical polymerization. Micelles of PS-b-PAA-b-PEG with PS core, PAA shell, and PEG corona were then prepared in aqueous solutions, followed by extensive characterization based on dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The well-characterized micelles were used to fabricate hollow nanospheres of CaCO(3) as a template. It was elucidated from TEM measurements that the hollow nanospheres have a uniform size with cavity diameters of ca. 20 nm. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a high purity and crystallinity of the hollow nanospheres. The hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres thus obtained have been used for the controlled release of an anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen. The significance of this study is that we have overcome a previous difficulty in the synthesis of hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres. After mixing of Ca(2+) and CO(3)(2-) ions, the growth of CaCO(3) is generally quite rapid to induce large crystal, which prevented us from obtaining hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres with controlled structure. However, we could solve this issue by using micelles of PS-b-PAA-b-PEG as a template. The PS core acts as a template that can be removed to form a cavity of hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres, the PAA shell is beneficial for arresting Ca(2+) ions to produce CaCO(3), and the PEG corona stabilizes the CaCO(3)/micelle nanocomposite to prevent secondary aggregate formation.     

核中含有羧基官能团的聚合物胶束的高效制备

通过化学交联反应诱导胶束化以较高的效率制备了PMCC(聚合物的质量浓度高达50 g/L). 首先制备嵌段共聚物聚苯乙烯-b-聚丙烯酸(PS-b-PAA), 然后对PAA嵌段中的羧基实行酰氯化, 在酰氯化产物聚苯乙烯-b-聚丙烯酰氯(PS-b-PACl)的共同溶剂二氯甲烷中加入交联剂乙二醇交联PACl嵌段. 交联反应使得PACl嵌段聚集, 同时, PS嵌段的保护作用使得PACl嵌段的聚集在有限个分子链间发生, 从而生成以PS为壳, 以含有羧基官能团的聚丙烯酸酯交联网络为核的PMCC.     

Semiflexible grafted polymers in poor solvents: toroidal, archway, and tower micelles

We study a system of grafted semiflexible polymers in a poor solvent which form toroidal or rodlike conformations in the bulk. However, because of the physical constraint of surface grafting, macrophase separation is inhibited and a number of different polymer aggregates (or micelles) form which can be related to the chains' stiffness and their affinity for each other. In contrast to the fully flexible Gaussian case, we observe a number of novel micelle structures, including tower micelles, archway micelles, and spider micelles. We also attempt to develop a phase diagram for the occurrence of these structures with respect to the variables of chain length, chain stiffness, and polymer grafting density.     

Nanostructured ultra-low-κ porous fluoropolymer composite films via plasma co-polymerization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers and subsequent hydrolysis treatment

A new approach to fabricate porous nanostructured fluoropolymer composite films with a low dielectric constant (κ) was put forward at the first time. Initially, a film (pp-HDFD-PEGMA film) composed of dense, uniform, and well-defined nanospheres was controllably deposited on hydrogen-terminated silicon substrates by simultaneous plasma polymerization and deposition of a fluorine-containing hydrophobic monomer, 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-heptadecafluoro-1-decene (HDFD), and a hydrophilic monomer poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA), using a pulsed plasma polymerization technique. Then, by hydrolysing the plasma co-deposited film in aqueous hydrochloric acid solution to effectively remove the soluble nanospheres or fragments which mainly derived from PEGMA, a nanoporous fluorocarbon film was achieved. Subsequently, a top poly(tetrafluoroethylene) layer was deposited via the magnetron sputtering process to cap and complete an encapsulated structure. The resulting bilayer composite film consisting of a layer of nanostructured fluorocarbon porous film and a layer of encapsulation fluorocarbon polymer has a κ value of 1.8. The morphology investigation of the plasma co-deposited film prior and after acid-treatment by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the form of the nanospheres and nanoporous structure, while the chemical composition and structure analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that after the acid-treatment, the porous nanostructured film are composed predominantly of mainly fluorocarbon polymer.     

Mixed micelles formed by SDS and a bolaamphiphile with carbohydrate headgroups

The formation of micelles in aqueous mixtures of a carbohydrate-based bolaamphiphile and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is investigated by surface tension and small-angle neutron scattering. The obtained values of critical micelle concentration (CMC) are analyzed within the framework of regular solution theory. Synergetic interactions between the bolaamphiphile and SDS are observed (parameter beta is negative; a minimum in the plot CMC vs composition). SANS data are collected for mixtures containing protonated and deuterated SDS. This gives us the possibility to conclude that mixed micelles with a homogeneous distribution of surfactant molecules within the micelle are formed. The shape of the micelles is found to be slightly oblate.     

Interaction of nonionic surfactants with copolymer microgel particles of NIPAM and acrylic acid

Binding of the nonionic surfactants Triton X-100 and Triton X-405 onto linear copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and acrylic acid and to cross-linked microgel particles of similar composition but differing in their cross-link densities has been studied. The binding capacities vary for each of these polymeric systems, being smallest for the linear copolymer. The binding is also significantly less in all cases for the more hydrophilic surfactant, namely, Triton X-405. By comparing estimates of the pore or "cage" size within the microgel particles with the dimensions of the free micelles in solution, it is concluded that micelles of Triton X-100 form within the microgel particles more readily for the lower cross-linked microgel particles. However, micelles do not form as easily inside either microgel for Triton X-405. The swelling/deswelling behavior of each of the two microgels, in the presence of the surfactants, has been explained in terms of their relative binding behavior and how this contributes to the osmotic pressure difference inside and outside the microgel particles and also in terms of micelle "bridging" of the polymer network, causing shrinkage.     

Exposure of self-assembly interiors to external elements. A kinetic approach

Five cationic surfactants, each bearing a single sulfur at various locations along their chains, were adsorbed into sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. An oxidant, periodate, was added to the system, and the subsequent rate of thioether oxidation to sulfoxide, determined by NMR, was found to be diminished (more or less equally for all sulfur loci) by 2 orders of magnitude. In contrast, rates of hydrogen peroxide oxidation were hardly perturbed by micellization. Once again, however, there was no rate dependence on sulfur location within the chains. These results are interpreted in terms of a disordered micelle in which all chain positions have roughly equivalent access to the micelle surface. The kinetic method for assessing exposure to the external medium is applicable to self-assemblies and polymer systems wherever the NMR resolution so permits.     

Successful preferential formation of a novel macromolecular assembly--trilayered polymeric micelle--that can incorporate hydrophilic compounds: the optimization of factors affecting the micelle formation from amphiphilic block copolymers

We have developed a novel macromolecular assembly, trilayered polymeric micelle, which can incorporate hydrophilic compounds. The micelle can be prepared from the amphiphilic block copolymers without regard to their properties such as the copolymer's charges and the homogeneity of the copolymers forming the micelle's inner and outer parts. In this study, we investigated the optimal condition for the preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelle. GPC results clarified that the composition of the block copolymer, the concentration of PVA in the aqueous bulk phase, and the temperature during the preparation were the important preparation factors affecting preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelles. We successfully achieved the preferential formation of the trilayered polymeric micelles under optimal conditions. Furthermore, we confirmed that the model hydrophilic compound, FITC-dextran, was successfully encapsulated into the hydrophilic core of the trilayered polymeric micelles. The novel micelle that can incorporate hydrophilic compounds can have a variety of future medical applications such as a protein delivery-based therapy.     

Synthesis and characterization of shell cross-linked micelles with hydroxy-functional coronas: a pragmatic alternative to dendrimers?

Shell cross-linked (SCL) micelles with hydroxy-functional coronas have been constructed in aqueous solution by exploiting the micellar self-assembly behavior of a new thermoresponsive ABC triblock copolymer. This copolymer was prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization in a convenient one-pot synthesis and comprised a thermoresponsive core-forming poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) block, a cross-linkable central poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (DMA) block, and a hydroxy-functional outer block based on poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) (GMA). DMF GPC analysis confirmed a unimodal molecular weight distribution for the PPO-PDMA-PGMA triblock copolymer precursor, with an M(n) of 12 100 and a polydispersity of approximately 1.26. This copolymer dissolved molecularly in aqueous solution at 5 degrees C but formed micelles with hydroxy-functional coronas above a critical micelle temperature of around 12 degrees C, which corresponded closely to the cloud point of the PPO macroinitiator. Cross-linking of the DMA residues using 1,2-bis(2-iodoethoxy)ethane produced SCL micelles that remained intact at 5 degrees C, i.e., below the cloud point of the core-forming PPO block. Dynamic light scattering studies confirmed that the SCL micelle diameter could be varied depending on the temperature employed for cross-linking: smaller, more compact SCL micelles were formed at higher temperatures, as expected. Since cross-linking involved quaternization of the DMA residues, the SCL micelles acquired cationic surface charge as judged by aqueous electrophoresis studies. These cationic SCL micelles were adsorbed onto near-monodisperse anionic silica sols, which were used as a model colloidal substrate. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated a SCL micelle mass loading of 2.5-4.4%, depending on the silica sol diameter and the initial micelle concentration. Aqueous electrophoresis measurements confirmed that surface charge reversal occurred after adsorption of the SCL micelles, and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed a uniform coating of SCL micelles on the silica particles.     

Block ionomer complex micelles with cross-linked cores for drug delivery

Soft polymeric nanomaterials were synthesized by template-assisted method involving condensation of the poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polycarboxylate anions by metal ions into core-shell block ionomer complex micelles followed by chemical cross-linking of the polyion chains in the micelle cores. The resulting materials represent nanogels and are capable of swelling in a pH-dependent manner. The structural determinants that guide the self-assembly of the initial micelle templates and the swelling behavior of the cross-linked micelles include the block ionomer structure, the chemical nature of metal ions, the structure of the cross-links and the degree of cross-linking. The application of these materials for loading and release of a drug, cisplatin, is evaluated. These cross-linked block ionomer micelles have promise for delivery of pharmaceutical agents. The text was submitted by the authors in English. This work was supported by the grants from U.S.A. National Institute of Health CA116590 (T.B.), National Science Foundation DMR-0513699 (A.V.K. and T.B.) and Department of Defense USAMRMC 06108004 (A.V.K.).     

Shell crosslinked polymer assemblies: Nanoscale constructs inspired from biological systems

The general approach involving the organization of polymers into micellar assemblies followed by stabilization through covalent intramicellar crosslinking of the assemblies has emerged as a powerful method for the production of well‐defined nanostructured materials, having an amphiphilic core‐shell morphology. When the covalent crosslinks are limited to the chain segments that compose the polymer micelle shell, then shell crosslinked knedel‐like (SCK) nanostructures result. The shell composition dictates the interactions of the SCKs with external agents, forms a barrier layer over the core domain, and provides robust character to the nanoparticle. Because of the stability that the crosslinked shell provides, the core domain can be of dramatically different compositions and properties—glassy, fluidlike, and crystalline polymer chains have been employed for the core material and the effects that each contributes to the overall nanostructure properties have been examined. Most notably, the shell crosslinks allow for complete removal of the core to generate hollow (solvent‐filled) nanoscale cagelike structures. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1397–1407, 2000     

Small-angle neutron scattering and theoretical investigation of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) stabilized oil-in-water microemulsions

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of oil solutes and alcohol cosolvents on the structure of oil-in-water microemulsions stabilized by poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymers. The systems investigated involved the solubilization of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene or 1,2-dichlorobenzene by P123 (EO(20)-PO(70)-EO(20)) pluronic surfactant micelles in water and water + ethanol solvents. The structures of these swollen micelles were determined by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). A thermodynamic model was employed to interpret the characterization data. The results of the thermodynamic model for micellization agreed well with the SANS data from samples of micelles swollen by both oils. The model predicted the size of the micelles within 5% accuracy using only one fitting parameter, the micelle polydispersity. Ethanol had significantly different effects on the polymer micelles that contained solubilized oil compared to pure polymer micelles. For pure polymer micelles, the addition of ethanol increased the solubility of the polymer and, therefore, decreased the total volume fraction of micelles, while for polymer-oil aggregates, ethanol tended to have a positive effect on the volume fraction of micelles. SANS results showed that the greatest divergence from pure aqueous solvent results occurred at oil concentrations above the microemulsion stability limit.