title: pH-induced release from P2VP-PEO block copolymer vesicles.
abstract: The pH-induced release of hydrophilic dyes from poly(2-vinylpyridine-b-ethylene oxide) (P2VP-PEO) block copolymer vesicles is investigated. The structure of the vesicles is characterized using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). A decrease of the pH below 5 leads to protonation and dissolution of the poly-2-vinylpyridine blocks which induces rupture and dissolution of the vesicle membrane. Details of the rupture, dissolution, and release process are studied by fluorescence video microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and high-performance ultrafiltration.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Borchert
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lipprandt
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bilang
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimpfler
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rank
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peschka-Süss
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lindner
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Förster
mesh_terms: D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011145:Polyvinyls; C520949:poly(2-vinylpyridine-block-ethylene oxide); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols