Issue 4, 2007

Lamellarsomes: metastable polymeric multilamellar aggregates

Abstract

We report the formation of disperse metastable multilamellar aggregates (lamellarsomes) with size ranging from hundreds of nanometres to hundreds of micrometres. Lamellarsomes are formed by the spontaneous self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers in water. Their internal lamellar structure is analysed in detail by transmission electron microscopy by means of fast Fourier transform analysis (FFT) and show features of lyotropic lamellar phase normally stable at high copolymer concentration. These lamellarsomes, although metastable, have long lifetimes and can encapsulate hydrophilic molecules in their enclosed aqueous volumes. Furthermore, the metastable nature of lamellarsomes is shown to modulate release of the encapsulated cargo through the generation of more permeable unilamellar vesicles, on application of mild osmotic shock.

Graphical abstract: Lamellarsomes: metastable polymeric multilamellar aggregates

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Apr 2006
Accepted
21 Nov 2006
First published
19 Dec 2006

Soft Matter, 2007,3, 470-475

Lamellarsomes: metastable polymeric multilamellar aggregates

G. Battaglia, S. Tomas and A. J. Ryan, Soft Matter, 2007, 3, 470 DOI: 10.1039/B605493E

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