Crystallization induced micellization of poly(p-dioxanone)-block-polyethylene glycol diblock copolymer functionalized with pyrene moiety

Poly(p-dioxanone)-block-polyethylene glycol diblock copolymers functionalized with pyrene moieties (Py-PPDO-b-PEG) at the chain ends of PPDO blocks were synthesized for preparing anisotropic micelles with improved stability. The micellization and crystallization of the copolymers were investigated by nano differential scanning calorimetry (Nano DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectrophotometery, fluorophotometer, and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. The results indicated that the aggregation of pyrene induced by intermolecular interaction lead to micellization of Py-PPDO-b-PEG at much lower concentrations than those of PPDO-b-PEG copolymers without pyrene moieties. The aggregation of pyrene moieties may also serve as nucleation agent and therefore enhance the crystallization rate of PPDO blocks. Fluorescence measurements by using Nile Red as the fluorescent agent indicated that the micelles of Py-PPDO-b-PEG have high stability and load capacity for hydrophobic molecules.

Crystallization induced micellization of poly(p-dioxanone)-block-polyethylene glycol diblock copolymer functionalized with pyrene moiety were studied. The aggregation of pyrene moieties promotes both micellization of the copolymer and crystallization of the PPDO blocks by serving as heterogeneous nucleation agent, resulted in much higher micelle stability than copolymer without pyrene moieties.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide