Synthesis of Novel Thermo‐ and pH‐Responsive Poly(L‐lysine)‐Based Copolymer and its Micellization in Water

Abstract

AbstractA series of novel temperature and pH responsive block copolymers composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(L‐lysine) (PLL) were synthesized. The effect of pH and the length of PLL on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, and the self‐assembly of these PLL‐based copolymers induced by temperature and pH changes were investigated by the cloud point method, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). These PNIPAM‐b‐PLL copolymers can self‐assemble into micelle‐like aggregates with PNIPAM as the hydrophobic block at acidic pH and high temperatures; and at alkaline pH and low temperatures, they can self‐assemble into particles with PLL as the hydrophobic block. The copolymers may have potential applications in biotechnological and biomedical areas as drug release carriers.magnified image