Block copolymer self-assembly have attracted great interests due to the immense application potentials. One of the hot topics in this area is responsive polymer materials via self-assembly. Our interests are constructing responsive polymer materials via supramolecular self-assembly, especially through host-guest interations. In this study, we present the synthesis of a biodegradable polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-based star-block copolymers. With the adamantly (Ada) ends of the star-block copolymers, the self-assembly behaviors were modulated by the well-known host-guest interaction between �-CD derivatives and Ada. As the increasing adding of �-CD derivatives to Ada-terminated star polymers, the self-assembled morphologies transformed from miecelles to nano-sized vesicles, indicated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The successful preparation of vesicles with diameters of 100 � 200 nm was confirmed by TEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The nano-sized vesicles are expected to be good candidates as drug delivery vehicles.

Cyclodextrin-directed morphology transition and nano-vesicles formation through self-assembly of star polymers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.