Preparation of dextran-1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) copolymer and its micellar characteristics

A novel amphiphilic copolymer based on dextran and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) was synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 31P NMR spectra. Their molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weights range from 13 kDa to 21 kDa in the molar ratio of 3:1–10:1 (DPPE/activated dextran). Its micellar characteristics in aqueous solution were investigated by fluorescence technique, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that dextran/DPPE copolymer could self-assembly in water into spherical micelles with the diameters ranged from 30 to 60 nm in the absence of organic solvent or surfactant.