INVESTIGATION OF THE ATRP OF n-BUTYL METHACRYLATE USING THE Cu(I)/N,N,N′,N″,N″-PENTAMETHYLDIETHYLENETRIAMINE CATALYST SYSTEM

The polymerization of n-butyl methacrylate was investigated using the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization technique with CuBr and CuCl/N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalytic systems. Various combinations of catalyst systems and initiators were utilized in order to optimize the polymerization conditions and to obtain well-defined polymers (i.e. controlled molecular weights and low polydispersities). It has been found that the optimal initiator for this system is a chlorine-based initiator, when the catalyst used is a Cu(I) salt in conjunction with the N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine ligand. Bromine-based initiators tend to result in large amounts of initial termination, leading to polymers with less than ideal chain end functionality, even if CuCl is used as the Cu(I) species to invoke the halogen exchange. Additionally, the effects of the polymerization temperature, copper(1) species and the initiator structure were determined.     

INVESTIGATION OF POLYDL-LACTIDE-b-POLY（ETHYLENE GLYCOL）-b-POLYDL-LACTIDE MICROSPHERES CONTAINING PLASMID DNA

PolyDL-lactide (PDLLA) and the block copolymer, polyDL-lactide-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyDL-lactide (PELA) were used as the microsphere matrix to encapsulate plasmid DNA. The PDLLA, PELA, pBR322-1oaded PDLLA and pBR322-1oaded PELA microspheres were prepared by solvent extraction method based on the formation of multiple w1/o/w2 emulsion. The microspheres were characterized by surface morphology, mean particle size, particle size distribution and loading efficiency. The integrity of DNA molecules after being extracted from microspheres was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The result suggested that plasmid DNA molecules could retain their integrity after being encapsulated by PELA. The PELA microspheres could prevent plasmid DNA from being digested by DNase. The in vitro degradation and release profiles of plasmid DNA-loaded microspheres were measured in pH - 7.4 buffer solution at 37℃. The in vitro degradation profiles of the microspheres were evaluated by the deterioration in microspheres surface morphology, the molecular weight reduction of polymer, the mass loss of microspheres, the changes of pH values of degradation medium, and the changes of particle size. The in vitro release profiles of the microspheres were assessed by measurement of the amount of DNA presented in the release medium at determined intervals. The release profiles were correlation with the degradation profiles. The release of plasmid DNA from PELA microspheres showed a similar biphasic trend, that is, an initial burst release was followed by a slow, but sustained release.