Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the synthesis and self-assembling behavior of new copolymers derived from fatty acid/amino acid components, namely dimers of linoleic acid (DLA) and tyrosine derived diphenols containing alkyl ester pendent chains, designated as “R” (DTR). Specific pendent chains were ethyl (E) and hexyl (H). These poly(aliphatic/aromatic-ester-amide)s were further reacted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether) of different molecular masses, thus resulting in ABA type (hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic) triblock copolymers. We used Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies to evaluate the chemical structure of the final materials. The molecular masses were estimated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. The self-organization of these new polymeric systems into micellar/nanospheric structures in aqueous environment was evaluated using ultraviolet/visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The polymers were found to spontaneously self-assemble into nanoparticles with sizes in the range 196–239 nm and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.125–0.250 mg/mL. The results are quite promising and these materials are capable of self-organizing into well-defined micelles/nanospheres encapsulating bioactive molecules, e.g., vitamins or antibacterial peptides for antibacterial coatings on medical devices.
Highlights
Synthetic polymers have played an important role in medical therapies, being applied in areas such as modulation of wound healing, implantable medical devices and artificial organs, prostheses, ophthalmology, dentistry, bone repair, and drug delivery systems
An intense double-peak in the range 3000–2800 cm−1 is observed for dimers of linoleic acid (DLA) and it is ascribed to methylene –CH2– group
The spectrum for esterification product of designated as “R” (DTR)-DLA shows a new peak at 1754 cm−1 characteristic for stretching vibrations of the ester group
Summary
Synthetic polymers have played an important role in medical therapies, being applied in areas such as modulation of wound healing, implantable medical devices and artificial organs, prostheses, ophthalmology, dentistry, bone repair, and drug delivery systems. Polymeric biomaterials are relatively easy to manufacture into products with various shapes, at reasonable cost, and with desirable mechanical and physical properties. One of the major factors limiting the use of these materials is their biocompatibility. The design of biocompatible synthetic surfaces that are able to control the interactions between living systems and the implanted material remains the main theme of applications of biomaterials in medicine [1]. The most common complications associated with polymeric implants are microbial infections. The most common hospital infections occur at four major body sites, leading to their description by the US
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