Diverse morphologies of self-aggregates from dodecyl chain grafted poly(2-hydroxyethyl aspartamide) in aqueous solution

Abstract

A series of amphiphilic graft copolymers, poly(2-hydroxyethyl aspartamide) grafted with dodecyl chains with different degree of substitution (DS), were synthesized and their self-aggregates showing various morphologies in aqueous media were prepared by direct dissolution method. Spherical micelles, wormlike micelles, tubular networks, and vesicles observed by TEM were found to be a function of DS of the hydrophobic dodecyl chain, and those self-assembled nanostructures can be explained in terms of interfacial energy and packing parameter. To our knowledge, this is the first report of diverse morphologies for a comb-like amphiphilic graft copolymer system. Our system suggests very attractive advantages for biomedical applications and for mass production of aggregates by direct dissolution into water without an organic solvent. Open image in new window