Hydrogen-bonding-induced chain folding and vesicular assembly of an amphiphilic polyurethane

Langmuir. 2013 Jun 4;29(22):6746-53. doi: 10.1021/la401008y. Epub 2013 May 22.

Abstract

We have reported synthesis and vesicular assembly of a novel amphiphilic polyurethane with hydrophobic backbone and hydrophilic pendant carboxylic acid groups which were periodically grafted to the backbone via a tertiary amine group. In aqueous medium the polymer chain adopted a folded conformation which was stabilized by intrachain H-bonding among the urethane groups. Such a model was supported by concentration and solvent-dependent FT-IR, powder XRD, and urea-mediated "denaturation" experiments. Folded polymer chains further formed vesicular assembly which was probed by dynamic light scattering, TEM, AFM, SEM, and fluorescence microscopic studies, and dye encapsulation experiments. pH-dependent DLS and fluorescence microscopic studies revealed stable polymersome in entire tested pH window of 3.5-11.0. Zeta potential measurements showed a negatively charged surface in basic pH while a charge-neutral surface in neutral and acidic pH. MTT assay with CHO cell line indicated good cell viability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • CHO Cells
  • Carboxylic Acids / chemistry*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cricetulus
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Light
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Polyurethanes / chemical synthesis*
  • Polyurethanes / pharmacology
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Surface-Active Agents / pharmacology
  • Water

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Polyurethanes
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Water