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Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Vesicles for Active Wound Dressings: Synthesis of Model Systems and Studies of Encapsulation and Release
Author(s) -
Haas Simon,
Chen Yizhou,
Fuchs Christian,
Handschuh Stephan,
Steuber Marc,
Schönherr Holger
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.201350608
Subject(s) - polymersome , copolymer , amphiphile , atom transfer radical polymerization , polymer chemistry , materials science , dynamic light scattering , ethylene glycol , polymerization , vesicle , micelle , ring opening polymerization , radical polymerization , chemistry , polymer , nanoparticle , organic chemistry , membrane , nanotechnology , aqueous solution , biochemistry , composite material
Summary Polystyrene‐ block ‐poly(acrylic acid) (PS‐ b ‐PAA) diblock copolymers were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Self‐assembly of these block copolymers into polymeric vesicles, so‐called polymersomes, was performed by addition of water to a solution of the block copolymers in tetrahydrofuran (THF). Various antimicrobial compounds and dyes were incorporated in the polymersomes and in addition to the corresponding size distributions, as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), the maximum attainable loading concentrations were determined. Using the release of incorporated calcein, which is a pH responsive dye, the principle of a light up probe approach for advanced in situ diagnostics was demonstrated. The release from PS‐ b ‐PAA vesicles via a vesicle‐to‐micelle transition was triggered by heating a vesicle suspension after addition of the plasticizer THF to 50 °C. Furthermore, a biocompatible and degradable block copolymer system, which contains degradable ester bonds in the main chain, was synthesized and investigated. In particular, poly(ethylene glycol)‐ block ‐polycaprolactone (PEG‐ b ‐PCL) copolymers were synthesized via ring‐opening polymerization (ROP). These copolymers were shown to form polymersomes as well and represent a promising family of degradable amphiphilic block copolymers for active wound dressings and related applications.