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Preparation of Giant Polymersomes via Inkjet Printing and Confined Geometry Hydration Applied to Micropipette Aspiration Experiments
Author(s) -
SolisGonzalez Obed Andres,
Tse Christopher Chi Wai,
Smith Patrick J.,
Fairclough John Patrick A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.202000094
Subject(s) - polymersome , materials science , polymer , ethylene oxide , copolymer , lamellar structure , vesicle , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , membrane , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemistry , amphiphile , biochemistry , engineering
Abstract A novel facile approach to creating many localized giant polymersomes (GPs) (vesicles) is developed. This method allows for the easy capture and testing of the bulk properties of the GPs. Inkjet printing is shown to produce vesicles of a non‐ionic block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide) 16 ‐poly(butylene oxide) 22 (E 16 B 22 ). The printer deposits a polymer solution (i.e., water/glucose/polymer) on a hydrophobic glass slide. Upon drying, glucose is left between polymer lamellar. Subsequent hydration of the sample dissolves glucose, and as a result, a concentration gradient is generated, which provides the energy necessary for separating the neutral polymer layers. After about 2 h in water, GPs are observed and are free of organic solvents. This novel methodology provides for the efficient formation of localized GPs. The distribution of the solution allows for a metered approach to releasing the GPs. This combination facilitates the collection of vesicles for micropipette aspiration experiments.