Surfactant-resistant polymersomes have substantial potential to be used as delivery vehicles in industrial applications. Herein, we report the preparation of poly(ethylene oxide)-<i>block</i>-polystyrene copolymers with ultra-high hydrophobic-block molecular weights through RAFT dispersion polymerization, which allows the polymerization-induced self-assembly into well-defined polymersomes with ultra-thick membranes up to ~ 47 nm. These ultra-thick membranes significantly enhance the resistance against surfactant solubilization of the vesicles, improving the vesicles’ potential for use in industrial encapsulations. Vesicle-encapsulated actives are well retained in the presence of up to 40 wt% of various anionic and non-ionic surfactants, with less than 7% active leakage being observed after 30 days.

Preparation of surfactant-resistant polymersomes with ultra-thick membranes through RAFT dispersion polymerization

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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