The shape transformation of polymer vesicles to yield stable, kinetically trapped structures beyond the traditional hollow spherical morphologies has gained prominence in recent years. These non-spherical polymersomes, whose structures include stomatocytes and tubular polymersomes, have potential use in fields such as drug delivery, cell biomimicry and as specialized nanomotors. A report on the use of osmotic pressure changes and UV-light to induce shape transformation in polymersomes based on polystyrene-stat-poly(coumarin methacrylate)-block-methoxy polyethylene glycol (P(S-stat-CMA)-b-mPEG)) will be presented. The [2+2] cycloaddition dimerization of the coumarin moiety provides a chemically reversible method to induce spontaneous curvature changes in the polymersome bilayer membrane, while dialysis methods act as a physical means to change the osmotic pressure and alter the shape of the assemblies. The shape transformation morphologies were characterized by dynamic and static light scattering, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The stability of the shape-transformed structures will also be discussed. This photochemical approach provides a unique pathway towards new carriers with unusual shapes.

UV-light-induced reversible shape transformation of polymersomes

2019 Spring National Meeting

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