Macromolecular organization of poly(L-lactide)-block-polyoxyethylene into bio-inspired nano-architectures
Abstract
Block copolymers create various types of nanostructures, e.g., spheres, rods, cubes, and lamellae. This review discloses the dynamic macromolecular organization of block copolymers comprising poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(oxyethylene) (PEG) that allows to simulate elaborate biological systems. The block copolymers, AB- (PLLA-PEG) and ABA-type (PLLA-PEG-PLLA), are synthesized by ordinary lactide polymerization to have a controlled block length. They are dispersed into an aqueous medium to prepare nano-scale particles, consisting of hydrophobic PLLA and hydrophilic PEG in the core and shell, respectively. Then, the particles are placed on a flat substrate by the casting method. The particles are detected as discoids by AFM, having shrunk with loss of water. Heat-treatment of these particles at 60°C (above T g of PLLA) gives rise to a collapse into small fragments, which then aggregate into bands with nano-size width and thickness. The PLLA-PEG bands align parallel to each other, while the PLLA-PEG-PLLA bands form a characteristic network resembling the neuron system created in animal tissue. As analyzed by TEM diffraction, each is composed of α-crystal of PLLA whose c-axis (molecular axis) is perpendicular to the substrate surface. Based on this fact, a doubly twisted chain structure of PLLA is proposed in addition to a plausible mechanism for the self-organization of the block copolymers. Derivatives of the PLLA-PEG block copolymers can form far more interesting nano-architectures. An equimolar mixture of enantiomeric copolymers, PLLA-PEG-PLLA and PDLA-PEG-PDLA, forms a hydrogel that is thermo-responsive. The terminal-modified poly(L-lactide)-block-polyoxyethylene monocinnamate (PLLA-PEG-C) forms a highly stabilized nanofiber by the photo-reaction of the cinnamates placed in the outer layer of the nanobands. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69469 Weinheim 2002.
Publication Title
Macromolecular Bioscience
Recommended Citation
Fujiwara, T., & Kimura, Y. (2002). Macromolecular organization of poly(L-lactide)-block-polyoxyethylene into bio-inspired nano-architectures. Macromolecular Bioscience, 2 (1), 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1002/1616-5195(20020101)2:1<11::AID-MABI11>3.0.CO;2-Q
