Self-assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers in aqueous solution

Core-shell Structure and Aggregation Number of Micelles Composed of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers and Amphiphilic Heterografted Polymer Brushes Determined by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

A large group of functional nanomaterials employed in biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery, relies on amphiphilic polymers to encapsulate therapeutic payloads via self-assembly processes. Knowledge of the micelle structures will provide critical insights into design of polymeric drug delivery systems. Core-shell micelles composed of linear diblock copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL), poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA), as well as a heterografted brush consisting of a poly(glycidyl methacrylate) backbone with PEG and PLA branches (PGMA-g-PEG/PLA) were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements to gain structural information regarding the particle morphology, core-shell size, and aggregation number. The structural information at this quasi-equilibrium state can also be used as a reference when studying the kinetics of polymer micellization.

Fluorophore exchange kinetics in block copolymer micelles with varying solvent-fluorophore and solvent-polymer interactions

Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to characterize the kinetics of guest exchange in diblock copolymer micelles composed of poly(ethylene oxide-b-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-PCL) diblock copolymers in water/tetrahydrofuran (THF) mixtures which encapsulated fluorophores. The solvent composition (THF content) of the micelle solution was varied as a means of modulating the strength of interactions between the fluorophore and solvent as well as between the micelle core and solvent. A donor-acceptor fluorophore pair was employed consisting of 3,3'-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiO, the donor) and 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI, the acceptor). Through the process of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), energy was transferred from the donor to acceptor when the fluorophores were in close proximity. A micelle solution containing DiO was mixed with a micelle solution containing DiI at t = 0, and the emission spectra of the mixed solution were monitored over time (at an excitation wavelength optimized for the donor). In micelle solutions containing 5 and 10 vol% THF in the bulk solvent, an increase in the acceptor peak intensity maximum occurred over time in the post-mixed solution, accompanied by a decrease in the donor peak intensity maximum, indicating the presence of energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor. At long times, the FRET ratios (acceptor peak intensity divided by the sum of the acceptor and donor peak intensities) were indistinguishable from that determined from pre-mixed micelle solutions of the same THF content (in pre-mixed solutions, DiO and DiI were encapsulated within the same micelle cores). In the micelle solution containing 20 vol% THF, the fluorophore exchange process occurred too quickly to be observed (the FRET ratios measured from the solutions mixed at t = 0 were commensurate to that measured from the pre-mixed solution). A time constant describing the guest exchange process was extracted from the time-dependence of the FRET ratio through fit of an exponential decay. An increase in the THF content in the micelle solution resulted in a decrease in the time constant, and the time constant varied over five orders of magnitude as the THF content was varied from 5-20 vol%.

Multilamellar Thermoresponsive Emulsions Stabilized with Biocompatible Semicrystalline Block Copolymers

We demonstrate specific interface-templated crystallization behavior of biocompatible amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) block copolymers enabling triggered shaping of the curvature of the oil/water interface and controlled phase inversion, including the formation of stable multiple emulsions. Water-born anisotropic micelles of PEO-b-PCL block copolymers self-assemble at the oil-water interface in a multilayer form and undergo conformational rearrangements into unique semicrystalline multilamellar shells, for which curvature (type of emulsion) can be tuned by the molecular architecture (volume fractions of the blocks) and/or by the temperature. The latter trigger affects both the solubility of the PEO block in water and the semicrystalline state of the PCL block. Remarkably, multilamellar semicrystalline shells provide both long-term stability and enhanced barrier properties of toluene-water emulsions, as well as the fast change of the bending, leading to thermo-induced phase inversion. These findings signify the development of novel practical mechanisms for controlled triggered encapsulation and release systems.

Development of functionalized nanoparticles for vaccine delivery to dendritic cells: a mechanistic approach

AIM

Produce biodegradable nanoparticles to target antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and evaluate their potential to be used as a vaccine delivery system.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Untargeted PEGylated poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolide)-based nanoparticles and mannose-grafted nanoparticles were formulated and physicochemically characterized. Immortalized and primary APCs were used to study nanoparticle internalization patterns. The endocytic pathways and intracellular trafficking followed by nanoparticles were also investigated.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

Nanoparticles displayed mannose residues available for binding at the nanoparticle surface. Different nanoparticle internalization patterns by immortalized and primary APCs were verified. Macropinocytosis, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolin- and lipid raft-dependent endocytosis are involved in nanoparticles internalization. Nanoparticles demonstrate both endolysosomal and cytosolic localizations and a tendency to accumulate nearby the endoplasmic reticulum.

CONCLUSION

The developed nanoparticles might drive antigens to be presented through MHC class I and II molecules to both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells, favoring a complete and coordinated immune response.

Synthesis and tensioactive properties of PEO-b-polyphosphate copolymers

Investigation of the micellization of degradable polyphosphoester based surfactants following a solvent-free process: the role of the pendent chain.

In vivo delivery of peptides and Toll-like receptor ligands by mannose-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles induces prophylactic and therapeutic anti-tumor immune responses in a melanoma model

We hypothesized that the co-entrapment of melanoma-associated antigens and the Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands Poly(I:C) and CpG, known to be Th1-immunopotentiators, in mannose-functionalized aliphatic polyester-based nanoparticles (NPs) could be targeted to mannose receptors on antigen-presenting cells and induce anti-tumor immune responses. High entrapment efficiencies of antigens and immunopotentiators in 150nm NPs were obtained. The co-entrapment of the model antigen ovalbumin and the TLR ligands was crucial to induce high IgG2c/IgG1 ratios and high levels of IFN-γ and IL-2. Mannose-functionalization of NPs potentiated the Th1 immune response. The nanoparticulate vaccines decreased the growth rate of murine B16F10 melanoma tumors in therapeutic and prophylatic settings. The combination of mannose-functionalized NPs containing MHC class I- or class II-restricted melanoma antigens and the TLR ligands induced the highest tumor growth delay. Overall, we demonstrate that the multifunctional properties of NPs in terms of targeting and antigen/adjuvant delivery have high cancer immunotherapeutic potential.

Crystallinity-driven morphological ripening processes for poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polycaprolactone micelles in water

A set of morphological transformations induced by core crystallization within spherical micelle-like aggregates of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polycaprolactone (PEO-b-PCL) is described in the present article. The initial self-assembly step, in which individual copolymer chains associate to form the spheres, can be performed reproducibly; the stability of these spheres, however, seems to be limited, as both transmission electron microscopy and light scattering data suggest that the primary spheres transform slowly into elongated rod-like or ribbon-like aggregates when suspended in deionized water at room temperature. Although the sphere-to-rod transition takes place typically over a time scale of several days, the formation of individual rods from spheres is very rapid, as evidenced by the progressive increase in the number of long rods and the conspicuous absence of short rods.

Bioresorbable polymersomes for targeted delivery of cisplatin

Nontoxic bioresorbable polymersomes have been developed that efficiently and site-selectively tether targeting peptides under mild conditions with no toxic catalysts. The binding and release properties of these polymersomes have been evaluated when targeting DLD-1 human colon cancer cells overexpressing the α(5)β(1) integrin. The delivery efficacy to these cells is markedly improved over commonly used RGD targeting peptides by use of an α(5)β(1)-specific targeting peptide, PR_b. Release profiles in buffered solution from pH 7.4 to 4.5 were evaluated and compared to release after binding to cells, and enzymatic degradation was identified as a major cause of rapid payload release in the cell. Intracellular trafficking and release were imaged via confocal microscopy in live cells and colocalization with organelles was evaluated quantitatively over time. Finally, the anticancer drug cisplatin was encapsulated in the PR_b functionalized polymersomes and the presence of PR_b greatly improved delivery efficacy, with increased cisplatin-induced losses to targeted DLD-1 colon cancer cell viability. When delivered to CACO-2 model human epithelial cells expressing low levels of α(5)β(1) integrin, low toxicity was maintained, suggesting that targeting was specific to α(5)β(1) overexpressing cells. These results demonstrate that PR_b-functionalized bioresorbable polymersomes may be an attractive route to minimizing the dose-limiting side effects associated with existing approaches to cisplatin chemotherapy.

c(RGDfK) decorated micellar drug delivery system for intravesical instilled chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer

The aim of this work was to develop a targeted drug delivery system with potentials for intravesical instilled chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer. The amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PCL-b-PEO) was first conjugated with the cyclic (Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid-d-Phenylalanine-Lysine) (c(RGDfK)) and fluorescein isothiocyannate (FITC) via the functional terminal groups of hydrophilic block, and then assembled into micelles. The interaction between micelles and various model cells was well studied by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. The c(RGDfK) on the surface of the micelle was confirmed by (1)H NMR analysis and cell affinity with human glioblastoma-astrocytoma cells (U87MG). The cell viability of bladder cancer cells (T-24 cells) after incubation with doxorubicin (DOX) loaded polymeric micelles was evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The results revealed that c(RGDfK) modified micelles showed strong affinity to T-24 cells and strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of T-24 cells when doxorubicin drug was loaded, indicating the high affinity of c(RGDfK) to bladder cancer cells. The c(RGDfK) modified micelles assembled from PCL-b-PEO diblock copolymers developed in this study are of great potentials as nano-scaled drug delivery system for intravesical instilled chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer.

Drug delivery to inflamed colon by nanoparticles: comparison of different strategies

For inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment, local delivery of molecules loaded in nanoparticles to the inflamed colon could be a promising strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate how drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles target the site of inflammation and to analyse the influence of different colon-specific delivery strategies. Three different polymeric nanoparticles were formulated using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model drug. pH-sensitive nanoparticles were made with Eudragit(®) S100. Mucoadhesive nanoparticles were created with trimethylchitosan (TMC). A mix of polymers, PLGA, PEG-PLGA and PEG-PCL, were used to obtain a sustained drug delivery. Furthermore, ligands targeting immune cells (i.e. mannose) or the inflamed colon (i.e. a specific peptide) were grafted on the PEG chain of PCL. Interaction of nanoparticles with the intestinal epithelium was explored using Caco-2 monolayers designed to mimic an inflamed epithelium and then visualized using confocal laser microscopy. TMC nanoparticles had the highest apparent permeability for OVA in the untreated model. However, in the inflamed model, there were no difference between TMC, PLGA-based and Eudragit(®) nanoparticles. The uptake of nanoparticles in the inflamed mouse colon was assessed in a horizontal diffusion chamber. Mannose-grafted PLGA nanoparticles showed the highest accumulation of OVA in inflamed colon. Based on these results, active targeting of macrophages and dendritic cells may be a promising approach for targeting the colon in IBD.

DNA-polymer micelles as nanoparticles with recognition ability

The Watson-Crick binding of DNA single strands is a powerful tool for the assembly of nanostructures. Our objective is to develop polymer nanoparticles equipped with DNA strands for surface-patterning applications, taking advantage of the DNA technology, in particular, recognition and reversibility. A hybrid DNA copolymer is synthesized through the conjugation of a ssDNA (22-mer) with a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(caprolactone) diblock copolymer (PEO-b-PCl). It is shown that, in water, the PEO-b-PCl-ssDNA(22) polymer forms micelles with a PCl hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona made of PEO and DNA. The micelles are thoroughly characterized using electron microscopy (TEM and cryoTEM) and small-angle neutron scattering. The binding of these DNA micelles to a surface through DNA recognition is monitored using a quartz crystal microbalance and imaged by atomic force microscopy. The micelles can be released from the surface by a competitive displacement event.

N-heterocyclic carbene-induced zwitterionic ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide and direct synthesis of alpha,omega-difunctionalized poly(ethylene oxide)s and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) block copolymers

An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), namely, 1,3-bis-(diisopropyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (1), was demonstrated to bring about the metal-free ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide at 50 degrees C in dimethyl sulfoxide, in absence of any other reagents. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) of polydispersities <1.2 and molar masses perfectly matching the [monomer]/[(1)] ratio could thus be obtained in quantitative yields, attesting to the controlled/living character of such carbene-initiated polymerizations. It is argued that (1) adds to ethylene oxide to form a zwitterionic species, namely 1,3-bis-(diisopropyl)imidazol-2-ylidinium alkoxide, that further propagates by a zwitterionic ring-opening polymerization (ZROP) mechanism. Through an appropriate choice of terminating agent NuH or NuSiMe(3) at the completion of the polymerization, a variety of end-functionalized PEO chains could be generated. In particular, alpha,omega-bis(hydroxy)-telechelic PEO, alpha-benzyl,omega-hydroxy, and alpha-azido,omega-hydroxy-difunctionalized PEOs were synthesized by NHC (1)-initiated ZROP, using H(2)O, PhCH(2)OH, and N(3)SiMe(3) as terminating agent, respectively. Characterization of these alpha,omega-difunctionalized PEOs by techniques such as (1)H NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF spectrometry, and size exclusion chromatography confirmed the quantitative introduction of functional groups at both alpha and omega positions of the PEO chains and the formation of very narrow molar mass polymers. Finally, the synthesis of a poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymer by sequential ZROP of the corresponding monomers was successfully achieved using (1) as organic initiator without isolation of the PEO block intermediate.

Virus-mimetic polymeric micelles for targeted siRNA delivery

In this study, an engineered non-viral polymer based delivery systems with structural features mimicking that of viral vectors was developed and the potential of this carrier for siRNA delivery was assessed. The developed siRNA carrier was based on poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) micelles decorated with integrin alphavbeta3 targeting peptide (RGD4C) and/or cell penetrating peptide (TAT) on the PEO shell, and modified with a polycation (spermine) in the PCL core for siRNA binding and protection. We observed increased cellular uptake and effective endosomal escape of siRNA delivered with the peptide-functionalized micelles especially those with dual functionality (RGD/TAT-micelles) compared to unmodified micelles (NON-micelles) in MDA435/LCC6 resistant cells. Transfection of mdr1 siRNA formulated in peptide-modified micelles led to P-gp down regulation both at the mRNA and protein level. Subsequent to P-gp down regulation, increased cellular accumulation of P-gp substrate, doxorubicin (DOX), in the cytoplasm and nucleus of resistant MDA435/LCC6 cells after treatment with peptide decorated polymeric micelle/mdr1 siRNA complexes was observed. As a result, resistance to DOX was successfully reversed. Interestingly, RGD/TAT-micellar siRNA complexes produced improved cellular uptake, P-gp silencing, DOX cellular accumulation, DOX nuclear localization and DOX induced cytotoxicity in MDA435/LCC6 cells when compared to micelles decorated with individual peptides. Results of this study indicated a potential for RGD/TAT-functionalized virus-like micelles as promising carriers for efficient delivery of mdr1 siRNA to MDA435/LCC6 resistant cells as means to reverse the P-gp mediated multidrug resistance to DOX.

Comparison of surfactants used to prepare aqueous perfluoropentane emulsions for pharmaceutical applications

Perfluoropentane (PFP), a very hydrophobic, nontoxic, noncarcinogenic fluoroalkane, has generated much interest in biomedical applications, including occlusion therapy and controlled drug delivery. For most of these applications, the dispersion within aqueous media of a large quantity of PFP droplets of the proper size is critically important. Surprisingly, the interfacial tension of PFP against water in the presence of surfactants used to stabilize the emulsion has rarely, if ever, been measured. In this study, we report the interfacial tension of PFP in the presence of surfactants used in previous studies to produce emulsions for biomedical applications: polyethylene oxide-co-polylactic acid (PEO-PLA) and polyethylene oxide-co-poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PEO-PCL). Because both of these surfactants are uncharged diblock copolymers that rely on the mechanism of steric stabilization, we also investigate for comparison's sake the use of the small-molecule cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and the much larger protein surfactant bovine serum albumin (BSA). The results presented here complement previous reports of the PFP droplet size distribution and will be useful for determining to what extent the interfacial tension value can be used to control the mean PFP droplet size.

Mixed micelles of Triton X-100, sodium dodecyl dioxyethylene sulfate, and synperonic l61 investigated by NOESY and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy

Mixed micelles formed from nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (TX100), anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl dioxyethylene sulfate (SDP2S), and triblock copolymer Synperonic L61 (SL61) were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The size and shape of the aggregates were determined by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), while 2D nuclear Overhauser enhanced spectroscopy (NOESY) NMR was used to study the mutual spatial arrangement of the surfactant molecules in the aggregated state. An average micellar hydrodynamic radius of 3.6 nm, slightly increasing upon increasing TX100 molar fraction, was found for the mixed systems without additives. Addition of SL61 to the mixed micellar systems results in a slight increase of micellar radii. In the presence of AlCl3, an increase of TX100/SDP2S micellar sizes from 4 to 10 nm was found when increasing the SDP2S molar fraction. The mixed TX100/SDP2S micelles in the presence of both AlCl3 and polymer SL61 are almost spherical, with a radius of 4.5 nm. 2D NOESY data reveal that, as the individual TX100 micelles, mixed TX100/SDP2S and TX100/SDP2S/SL61/AlCl3 micelles also have a multilayer structure, with partially overlapping internal and external layers of TX100 molecules. In these mixed micelles, the SDP2S molecules are located at the level of the external layer of TX100 molecules, whereas the SL61 polymer is partially incorporated inside of the micellar core.

Coarse-grained simulations of rapid assembly kinetics for polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers in aqueous solutions

We present a coarse-grained, implicit solvent model for polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) in aqueous solution and study its assembly kinetics using Brownian dynamics simulations. The polymer is modeled as a chain of freely jointed beads interacting through effective potentials. Coarse-grained force field parameters are determined by matching experimental thermodynamic quantities including radius of gyration, second virial coefficient, aggregation number, and critical micelle concentration. We investigate the influence of cooling rate (analogous to the rate of solvent quality change in rapid precipitations), polymer concentration, and friction coefficient on the assembly kinetics and compare simulation results to flash nanoprecipitation experiments. We find that assembly kinetics show a linear scaling relation with inverse friction coefficient when the friction coefficient is larger than 1. When the cooling time is less than the characteristic micellization time, stable kinetically arrested clusters are obtained; otherwise, close-to-equilibrium micelles are formed. The characteristic micellization time is estimated to be only 3-6 ms, in contrast to 30-40 ms previously determined in experiments. We suggest that previous experiments probed the formation of micellar clusters while simulations in this work studied the kinetics of a single micelle assembled from free polymer chains.

Internal structural characterization of triblock copolymer micelles with looped corona chains

We report the characterization through SAXS measurements of micelles produced from a new series of block copolymers: one diblock and four triblock copolymers bearing short poly[5-(N,N-diethylamino)isoprene] and long polystyrene blocks. Micellar aggregates produced in DMF (selective solvent for polystyrene) from the same set of samples were previously successfully characterized through light scattering measurements. The X-ray scattering profiles of starlike (from the diblock copolymer sample) and flowerlike micelles (from the triblock copolymers samples) could be fitted using the spherical copolymer micelle model proposed by Pedersen and Gerstenberg (Macromolecules 1996, 29, 1363.) where in the case of flowerlike micelles, the particles were understood as formed by hypothetical diblock copolymers having half of the true polymeric molar mass. Using the spherical copolymer micelle model, it could be possible to attest the unswollen nature of the micellar cores. The total micellar size suggested thus that the chains forming the corona are extended which is mainly related to a small core surface area per corona chain entering the core (Ac/n), which also induced a small number of aggregation (N(agg)) of all self-assembled particles. The total micellar size fits well with our previous light scattering measurements.

Self-Assembly and pH-Responsiveness of ABC Miktoarm Star Terpolymers

This work deals with the self-assembly in water of ABC miktoarm star terpolymers consisting of hydrophobic poly(-caprolactone), hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and pH-sensitive poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP). A variety of experimental techniques were used, including dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential. Special attention was paid to the pH dependency of the supramolecular self-assemblies. A key observation is the capability of the miktoarm terpolymers to form micelles stable over the whole range of pH, although a transition was observed from neutral to highly positively charged nanoobjects upon decreasing pH.

Morphological control of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer aggregates in aqueous solution

In aqueous solution, it was found that the amphiphilic copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(caprolactone) (PEG(5000)-b-PCL(4100)) formed different morphologies, including long rod-like, short rod-like, or spherical aggregates, when the copolymer concentration was increased. Nearly identical morphologies were observed with the addition of increasing amounts of PEG(2000)-distearoylphosphoethanolamine (PEG(2000)-DSPE) to the copolymer. The morphologies of the aggregates in solution were confirmed by negative stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryogenic-TEM (cryo-TEM). The critical micelle concentrations of the PEG(5000)-b-PCL(4100) copolymer, PEG(2000)-DSPE and a mixture of the two materials (PEG(5000)-b-PCL 4100/PEG(2000)-DSPE) were evaluated to determine the thermodynamic stability of the aggregates. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed to gain insight into the degree of mixing of PEG(5000)-b-PCL(4100) and PEG(2000)-DSPE. Overall, combining PEG(5000)-b-PCL(4100) and PEG(2000)-DSPE produced a single population of mixed micelles with rod-like or spherical morphologies depending on the material composition and concentration.

Preparation and characterization of self-assembled nanoparticles formed by poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers with long poly(epsilon-caprolactone) blocks in aqueous solutions

Aqueous solutions of self-assembled nanoparticles formed by biocompatible diblock copolymers of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PCL-PEO) with the same molar mass of the PEO block (5000 g mol-1) and three different molar masses of the PCL block (5000, 13 000, and 32 000 g mol-1) have been prepared by a fast mixing the copolymer solution in a mild selective solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water, with an excess of water, that is, by quenching the reversible micellization equilibrium, and a subsequent removal of THF by dialysis of the water-rich solution against water. The prepared nanoparticles have been characterized by static and dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy imaging. It was found that stable monodisperse nanoparticles are formed only if the initial mixed solvent contained 90 vol % THF. The results show that the prepared nanoparticles are spherical vesicles with relatively thick hydrophobic walls, that is, spherical core/shell nanoparticles with the hollow core filled with the solvent.

Concomitant adsorption of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers and sodium dodecyl sulfate at the silica-water interface

Upon addition of silica to aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers (PEO-b-PCL) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), adsorption of the solutes occurs at the silica-water interface. The amount of the adsorbed constituents has been measured by the total concentration depletion method. Small-angle neutron scattering experiments (SANS) have been carried out to investigate the structure of the adsorbed layer. Although SDS is not spontaneously adsorbed onto hydrophilic silica, adsorption is observed in the presence of PEO-b-PCL diblocks, in relation to the relative concentration of the two compounds. Conversely, SDS has a depressive effect on the adsorption of the copolymer, whose structure at the interface is modified. Copolymer desorption is however never complete at high SDS content. These observations have been rationalized by the associative behavior of PEO-b-PCL and SDS in water.

Adsorption of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers at the silica-water interface

The adsorption of amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(gamma-methyl-epsilon-caprolactone) copolymers in aqueous solution on silica and glass surfaces has been investigated by flow microcalorimetry, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), surface forces, and complementary techniques. The studied copolymers consist of a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block of M(n) = 5000 and a hydrophobic polyester block of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) or poly(gamma-methyl-epsilon-caprolactone) (PMCL) of M(n) in the 950-2200 range. Compared to homoPEO, the adsorption of the copolymers is significantly increased by the connection of PEO to an aliphatic polyester block. According to calorimetric experiments, the copolymers interact with the surface mainly through the hydrophilic block. At low surface coverage, the PEO block interacts with the surface such that both PEO and PCL chains are exposed to the aqueous solution. At high surface coverage, a dense copolymer layer is observed with the PEO blocks oriented toward the solution. The structure of the copolymer layer has been analyzed by neutron scattering using the contrast matching technique and by tapping mode atomic force microscopy. The experimental observations agree with the coadsorption of micelles and free copolymer chains at the interface.