Polymersome stomatocytes: controlled shape transformation in polymer vesicles.
We report here a controllable shape transformation of polymer vesicles (polymersomes) constructed from block copolymers of which the hydrophobic part is a high-molecular-weight glassy segment. Control over the shape transformation is obtained by kinetic manipulation of the phase behavior of this glassy hydrophobic segment. Kinetic manipulation of the phase behavior of polymer membranes allows for different shapes of polymersomes to be captured at specific times, which directly translates into physically robust nanostructures that are otherwise unobtainable. Combining the morphological diversity of giant liposomes and the physical robustness of polymersomes, our finding can be a general way to realize unusual nanostructures in a predictable manner.
Kim
Kyoung Taek
KT
School of Nano-Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Korea.
Zhu
Jiahua
J
Meeuwissen
Silvie A
SA
Cornelissen
Jeroen J L M
JJ
Pochan
Darrin J
DJ
Nolte
Roeland J M
RJ
van Hest
Jan C M
JC
D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007700:Kinetics; D008970:Molecular Weight; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D011108:Polymers