Aqueous Self-Assembly of Y-Shaped Amphiphilic Block Copolymers into Giant Vesicles.
The preparation and aqueous self-assembly of newly Y-shaped amphiphilic block polyurethane (PUG) copolymers are reported here. These amphiphilic copolymers, designed to have two hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) tails and one hydrophobic alkyl tail via a two-step coupling reaction, can self-assemble into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) (diameter ≥ 1000 nm) with a direct dissolution method in aqueous solution, depending on their Y-shaped structures and initial concentrations. More interesting, the copolymers can self-assemble into various distinct nano-/microstructures, such as spherical micelles, small vesicles, and GUVs, with the increase of their concentrations. The traditional preparation methods of GUVs generally need conventional amphiphilic molecules and additional complicated conditions, such as alternating electrical field, buffer solution, or organic solvent. Therefore, the self-assembly of Y-shaped PUGs with a direct dissolution method in aqueous solution demonstrated in this study supplies a new clue to fabricate GUVs based on the geometric design of amphiphilic polymers.
Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610065, China.|National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
Hanping
H
Li
Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610065, China.|National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
Yong
Y
Jin
Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Center of Polymer Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610041, China.|University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
Baozhu
B
Fan
Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610065, China.|National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
Shuangquan
S
Lai
Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610065, China.|National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
Xiaopeng
X
Sun
Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Center of Polymer Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610041, China.|University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
Rui
R
Qi
D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D011140:Polyurethanes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water
Y-shaped amphiphilic block copolymers; aqueous solution self-assembly; giant unilamellar vesicles; morphology