Ph-Responsive Micelle-Forming Amphiphilic Triblock Copolymers

Abstract

A novel pH-responsive micellar nanoparticle based on poly(ethylene glycol)-polydimethylsiloxane-poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymer with benzoic imine linkage is reported. A new synthetic approach to produce the pH-cleavable polymer that can self-assemble into stable micellar nanoparticle is presented. Such nanoparticles are stable at physiological pH, but degrade at slightly acidic pH, making this system potentially suitable to exploit pH gradients in biological compartments. The precursors, intermediates, final polymers, and micellar nanoparticles are characterized in detail by various spectroscopic techniques, gel permeation chromatography, and particle size measurements.