Interplay between Molecular Packing, Drug Loading, and Core Cross-Linking in Bottlebrush Copolymer Micelles

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02182
• Publication Date: 2017-02-08T19:29:00Z
• Authors: Hande Unsal; Sebla Onbulak; Filiz Calik; Meriem Er-Rafik; Marc Schmutz; Amitav Sanyal; Javid Rzayev
• Keywords: Side chain

Amphiphilic copolymers with bottlebrush architecture provide opportunities for the refinement of materials properties that may not be attainable from their linear analogues. In this study, we investigated effect polymer on an interplay between molecular packing inside micelle cores, cargo loading, and core cross-linking. Four families polylactide-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PLA–PEO) block different side-chain arrangements were synthesized by a combination grafting-through grafting-from methods. Copolymers double-graft PLA side chains produced smaller more uniform micelles than those single-graft branches. Photoactive coumarin groups, installed at chain ends, improved paclitaxel loading efficiencies copolymer allowed preparation uniform, core-cross-linked nanoparticles. The highest uptake (up to 30 wt % core) was observed prepared branched PEO chains, increasing size chains. On other hand, photo-cross-linking efficiency ∼90%) decreased hydrophilic headgroup. These trends attributed decrease in cores larger rigid headgroups. For poorly packed micelles, efficiencies, suggesting structural rearrangements uptake. Preliminary results also showed release slowed down degree