Self-assembled nanoparticles, such as bilayer vesicles, derived from amphiphilic polymers—specifically linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs)—combine the advantageous properties of both linear and dendritic copolymers to afford nanomaterials with superior mechanical properties. Contrasting the basic architecture of LDBCs to that of traditional AB block copolymers and phospholipids, their branched topology allows for guest-molecule entrapment while multiple head groups impart tailored, multivalent functionalities (e.g., targeted ligands and stimuli-responsive properties). Likewise, the linear segment of the copolymer provides excellent mechanical stability due to random-coil chain entanglements. Despite substantial precedents in the literature employing LDBCs, the majority of reported studies have focused on dendritic segments attached to a single linear chain. Herein, we report the effects of variations at the hydrophobic polyester segment, such as increasing branching density (e.g., linear, di, tetra, etc.) and thermal properties (low/high Tg) on the overall properties of nanoparticles formed from PAMAM (polyamidoamine)-polyester LDBCs. The synthetic protocol to obtain well-defined PAMAM-polyester LDBCs of varying architectures with high yield was confirmed via spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis. Viscosity data supports the validity of the proposed chemical structure. In conjunction with microscopy (e.g.,TEM and AFM), light scattering techniques afford evidence of nanoparticle formation. Results obtained from this study contribute to “bottom-up” approaches towards efficient nanomaterials with superior properties.

Elucidating the effects of extended branch architecture in linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs)

255th National Meeting (2018)

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