Physicochemical properties of mixed micelles composed of chitosan–cinnamic acid conjugate and Pluronic F127-cinnamic acid conjugate

• Polymeric mixed micelles were prepared by Plu–CA and Chi–CA.
• Plu–CA/Chi–CA mixtures were highly interface-active.
• Both Plu–CA and Chi–CA could be photo-demerized.
• Mean diameters of mixed micelles were highly dependent on temperature.
• The temperature-sensitivity of mixed micelles was affected by Chi–CA content and UV light.

Chitosan–cinnamic acid conjugate (Chi–CA) and Pluronic F127–cinnamic acid conjugate (Plu–CA) were synthesized for the preparation of mixed micelles. The mixtures of Chi–CA and Plu–CA in the molar ratio of 0.25:1, 0.5:1 and 1:1 were well interface-active. The dimerization degree was in the order of Plu–CA > Chi–CA > free CA. Plu–CA/Chi–CA mixed micelles were circular on TEM, and their mean diameter appreciably decreased when the temperature increased, possibly due to the thermally induced hydrophobic interaction of Plu chains. The temperature-sensitivity was lower when the Chi–CA content was higher. Dry Plu–CA micelles and Plu–CA/Chi–CA mixed micelles exhibited the similar endothermic peak.

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