Issue 11, 2011

pH-triggered micellar membrane for controlled release microchips

Abstract

A pH-responsive membrane based on polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymer was developed on a model glass microchip as a promising controlled polymer delivery system. The PS-b-P4VP copolymer assembles into spherical and/or worm-like micelles with styrene block cores and pyridine coronas in selective solvents. The self-assembled worm-like morphology exhibited pH-responsive behaviour due to the protonation of the P4VP block at low pH and it's deprotonation at high pH and thus constituting a switchable “off/on” system. Doxorubicin (Dox) was used as cargo to test the PS-b-P4VP membrane. Luminescence experiments indicated that the membrane was able to store Dox molecules within its micellar structure at neutral pH and then release them as soon as the pH was raised to 8.0. The performance of the cast membrane was predictable and most importantly reproducible. The physiochemical and biological properties were also investigated carefully in terms of morphology, cell viability and cell uptake.

Graphical abstract: pH-triggered micellar membrane for controlled release microchips

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Jul 2011
Accepted
01 Aug 2011
First published
16 Sep 2011

Polym. Chem., 2011,2, 2543-2547

pH-triggered micellar membrane for controlled release microchips

X. Yang, B. A. Moosa, L. Deng, L. Zhao and N. M. Khashab, Polym. Chem., 2011, 2, 2543 DOI: 10.1039/C1PY00300C

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