Poly(ethylene glycol) haired layered double hydroxides as biocompatible nanovehicles: Morphology and dispersity study

The surface modification of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is of much importance for the purposes of the nanoparticle stability, dispersity and biocompatibility. Herein, we reported the fabrication and dispersible properties of surface modified LDHs by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives. First, Mg–Al LDHs were incubated with sulfate or carboxylate-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to fabricate PEG haired LDHs. The pristine LDH particles were truncated into smooth pie-like disks and their Zeta potential reversed to a highly negative value after the surface modification. The obtained PEG/LDH nanocomposites displayed a highly enhanced stability and dispersity due to the polymer steric hindrance and the electrostatic repulse. The PEG haired LDHs might be considered as a multifunctional model vehicle in biodelivery applications in the next applications due to the biocompatible polymer shells.

The surface grafting of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides was performed using anionic poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives to fabricate poly(ethylene glycol)-haired nanocomposites with enhanced stability, redispersity and biocompatibility.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) was grafted onto the surface of layered double hydroxides.
► Polymer presence truncated the particle edges and highly enhanced the particle dispersity.
► Reversed surface charging reveals the multiple interaction forces at the PEG/LDH interface.