Synergistic behavior of poly(aspartic acid) and Pluronic F127 in aqueous solution as studied by viscometry and dynamic light scattering

Pluronic F127/poly(aspartic acid) mixtures were investigated in dilute solutions by viscometry and dynamic light scattering. The two polymers were chosen due to well known applications in biomedical field, taking into account the final purpose (the use of the complex structure as drug delivery systems). The central item was to identify the possibility of complexation between the poly(carboxylic acid) and a non-ionic polymer and to investigate the conditions of the interpolymer complex formation. The ability of Pluronic F127 to form micelle is well known. Poly(aspartic acid), as a polycarboxylic acid with resemblance with polyacrylic acid, can act as dispersant, antiscalant, superabsorber, being also able to form micelles. Due to its functional groups, COOH and NH2, poly(aspartic acid) can make physical and/or chemical bonds with other macromolecular compounds.The intrinsic viscosity and the dynamic light scattering data obtained for PLU/PAS mixtures at 25 °C have shown that interpolymer complex formation occurs around 1/1 wt. ratio between the two polymers.

Graphical abstractThe proposed self-assembling mechanism between PAS and PLU around w* = 0.5.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Evidencing of self-assembling between two polymers with biomedical applications: poly(aspartic acid) and Pluronic F127. ► The viscometric parameters were evaluated by using a new approach. ► Establishing the ratio between the two polymers for which the interpolymeric complex appears.