Structural factors directing nanosized polyion complex vesicles (Nano-PICsomes) to form a pair of block aniomer/homo catiomers: studies on the aniomer segment length and the catiomer side-chain structure

Abstract

The aim of this study is to establish the factors that affect the formation of polyion complex (PIC) vesicles. The effects of anionic segment length of PEG-PAspy, and chemical structure of the side chains of Homo-P(Asp-Cn)x on the properties of PICs were carefully examined. It was found that PEG weight fraction (fPEG) has a significant role in determining the PIC morphologies as PICs with fPEG 10%. In addition, Homo-P(Asp-Cn)x containing five and six carbon atoms on the aliphatic spacers in their side chains facilitated the formation of Nano-PICsomes (compared with the shorter ones). These findings shed new light on how to control the structure and properties of PIC assemblies for diverse material applications.