EUVE Observations of Jupiter During the Impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

Computer simulation of architectural and molecular weight effects on the assembly of amphiphilic linear-dendritic block copolymers in solution

Langevin dynamics simulations are performed on linear-dendritic diblock copolymers containing bead-spring, freely jointed chains composed of hydrophobic linear monomers and hydrophilic dendritic monomers. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), micelle size distribution, and shape are examined as a function of dendron generation and architecture. For diblock copolymers with a linear block of fixed length, it is found that the CMC increases with increasing dendron generation. This trend qualitatively agrees with experiments on linear-dendritic diblock and triblock copolymers with hydrophilic dendritic blocks and hydrophobic linear blocks. The flexibility of the dendritic block is altered by varying the number of spacer monomers between branch points in the dendron. When comparing linear-dendritic diblock copolymers with similar molecular weights, it is shown that increasing the number of spacer monomers in the dendron lowers the CMC due to an increase in flexibility of the dendritic block. Analysis on the micellar structure shows that linear-dendritic diblock copolymers pack more densely than what would be expected for a linear-linear diblock copolymer of the same molecular weight.

Self-Assembled Architectures from Biohybrid Triblock Copolymers

The synthesis and self-assembly behavior of biohybrid ABC triblock copolymers consisting of a synthetic diblock, polystyrene-b-polyethylene glycol (PSm-b-PEG113), where m is varied, and a hemeprotein, myoglobin (Mb) or horse radish peroxidase (HRP), is described. The synthetic diblock copolymer is first functionalized with the heme cofactor and subsequently reconstituted with the apoprotein or the apoenzyme to yield the protein-containing ABC triblock copolymer. The obtained amphiphilic block copolymers self-assemble in aqueous solution into a large variety of aggregate structures. Depending on the protein and the polystyrene block length, micellar rods, vesicles, toroids, figure eight structures, octopus structures, and spheres with a lamellar surface are formed.

Temperature-Responsive Phase Transition of Polymer Vesicles: Real-Time Morphology Observation and Molecular Mechanism

Novel thermosensitive polymer vesicles with controlled temperature-responsive phase transition at the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) varying from 8 to 81 degrees C were prepared via self-assembly of amphiphilic hyperbranched star copolymers having a hydrophobic hyperbranched poly[3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane] (HBPO) core and many hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) arms. Real-time optical microscopic observation revealed that the polymer vesicles have undergone sequential morphology changes including enrichment, aggregation, fusion, and vesicle-to-membrane transformation near the LCST. Molecular-level investigation indicates that the LCST transition results from the decreasing water solubility of the polymer vesicles with increasing temperature based on the partial dehydration of the PEO vesicle corona. On the basis of these results, a LCST transition mechanism, in view of the molecular configuration, balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, and the vesicle morphology transformations, was proposed. As far as we know, the work presented here is the first demonstration of thermosensitive vesicles based on PEO, and the finding may be useful to design the thermosensitive core-shell structures by introducing the PEO segments.

Solution behavior of linear-dendritic rod diblock copolymers in methanol

The solution behavior of spherical dendrimers as well as hybrid-linear dendritic diblock copolymers has been extensively studied, and the size, shape, and ability of these polymers to encapsulate small molecules have led to their comparison with traditional micelles. We have recently reported the synthesis of a new dendritic copolymer architecture, the linear-dendritic rod diblock copolymer, and in this work, we examine the solution behavior of these unique polymers in methanol at 25 degrees C, using dynamic light scattering and intrinsic viscosity measurements. The diblock copolymers consist of a linear poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(ethylene imine) diblock copolymer backbone around which poly(amido amine) branches have been divergently synthesized from the poly(ethylene imine) block. The hydrodynamic radii and the viscometric radii of the polymers were found to increase slowly with increasing generation up to generation 3.5; however, after generation 3.5, the radii were found to increase very rapidly. This increase can be explained by an elongation of the dendritic block into a more rodlike configuration and a corresponding breakdown of the spherical approximation used to calculate the radii. The intrinsic viscosity of the amine and ester terminated polymers was found to follow two very different trends at low generation; however, at higher generations, they followed similar, yet slightly different, curves with the values for the amine terminated polymers only a little larger than those of the ester terminated polymers. At low generations, the chemistry of the end groups and its interaction with the solvent were found to be more important, whereas at higher generations, the highly branched nature of the dendritic block was the more important factor. For the ester terminated polymers, a maximum in the intrinsic viscosity occurred at generation 1.5. Since this maximum occurred at a much lower generation number than is traditionally seen for spherical dendrimers, new scaling relations for the intrinsic viscosity of dendritic rod polymers were developed and were found to support this observation. A minimum in the intrinsic viscosity was also observed at generation 3.5 for the ester terminated polymers and a minimum or leveling off in the intrinsic viscosity at generation 4.0 was found for the amine terminated polymers, which can be attributed to the transitioning of the polymers to a more elongated, rodlike shape and the increased influence of the shape factor on the intrinsic viscosity.

Amphiphilic linear-dendritic triblock copolymers composed of poly(amidoamine) and poly(propylene oxide) and their micellar-phase and encapsulation properties

A novel amphiphilic ABA dendritic-linear-dendritic block copolymer consisting of poly(amidoamine) and poly(propylene oxide) has been synthesized. The solution-phase behavior of the block copolymer was studied as a function of the generation of the dendritic block, ionic strength, and solution pH. The triblock self-assembles in aqueous media to form stable micelles with CMC values ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-5) M. Dynamic light scattering results indicate the formation of particles ranging from 9 to 18 nm in diameter, with smaller diameters exhibited at higher generations. Additional experiments were performed to assess the feasibility of the nanoparticles for drug delivery applications. Drug loading studies were performed with a model hydrophobic drug, triclosan, resulting in high loading efficiencies ranging from 79 to 86%w/w. The dendritic-linear-dendritic block copolymer synthesized was found to be a promising candidate for drug delivery due to its relative stability in aqueous solution and its drug encapsulation and release properties.

Encapsulation of Fluorescent Molecules by Functionalized Polymeric Nanocontainers: Investigation by Confocal Fluorescence Imaging and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

Nanocontainers (NCs) were prepared from amphiphilic triblock copolymers, having an average molecular weight of around 8000 g/mol, by using previously published preparation methods consisting of dispersing the polymer in an aqueous buffer solution containing molecules for encapsulation. A small molecular weight fluorophore, sulforhodamine B, as well as the fluorescent protein avidin labeled with Alexa 488 were encapsulated, and the resulting nanocontainers were characterized using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS). Nanocontainer size determination by FCS is very robust and compares well with results obtained from photon correlation spectroscopy: the measured diameters of the polymeric nanocontainers vary between 140 and 172 nm. Encapsulation of fluorescent molecules was determined by evaluating the molecular brightness of nanocontainers with an encapsulated fluorescently labeled protein (avidin-Alexa 488). Results indicate that the number of encapsulated avidin-Alexa 488 molecules corresponds well with the initial concentration of the fluorescently labeled protein and the encapsulated volume. A nanocontainer binding assay was developed using biotinylated fluorescently labeled nanocontainers. Binding of biotinylated nanocontainers to fluorescently labeled streptavidin was followed by fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy. The intrinsic dissociation constant, K(d), of labeled streptavidin to the ligand-modified nanocontainers is 1.7 +/- 0.4 x 10(-8) M, and about 1921 +/- 357 molecules of labeled streptavidin are bound to each nanocontainer.

The dramatic effect of architecture on the self-assembly of block copolymers at interfaces

Dramatic morphological changes are observed in the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film assemblies of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(styrene-r-benzocyclobutene) block copolymer (PEG-b-(S-r-BCB)) after intramolecular cross-linking of the S-r-BCB block to form a linear-nanoparticle structure. To isolate architectural effects and allow direct comparison, the linear block copolymer precursor and the linear-nanoparticle block copolymer resulting from selective intramolecular cross-linking of the BCB units were designed to have exactly the same molecular weight and chemical composition but different architecture. It was found that the effect of architecture is pronounced with these macromolecular isomers, which self-assemble into dramatically different surface aggregates. The linear block copolymer forms disklike surface assemblies over the range of compression states, while the linear-nanoparticle block copolymer exhibits long (>10 microm) wormlike aggregates whose length increases as a function of increasing cross-linking density. It is shown that the driving force behind the morphological change is a combination of the altered molecular geometry and the restricted degree of stretching of the nanoparticle block because of the intramolecular cross-linking. A modified approach to interpret the pi-A isotherm, which includes presence of the block copolymer aggregates, is also presented, while the surface rheological properties of the block copolymers at the air-water interface provide in-situ evidence of the aggregates' presence at the air-water interface.

Soft Vesicles Formed by Diblock Codendrimers of Poly(benzyl ether) and Poly(methallyl dichloride)

The synthesis of a block codendrimer (g3-PBE-b-g3-PMDC), composed of a third-generation poly(benzyl ether) (PBE) monodendron and an aliphatic polyether (PMDC) monodendron is reported. In THF/diiospropyl ether (1:1) the PMDC block functions as a "hydrophilic" block, while the PBE acts as a "hydrophobic" block. The codendrimer can form interdigitated layers leading to vesicle formation. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the vesicles. The effect of molecular architecture on the formation of the interdigitated layers and vesicles was studied.

Invertible amphiphilic homopolymers

Stimuli-responsive polymers and assemblies are viable candidates for the so-called "smart" materials. In this communication, we report a new class of amphiphilic homopolymers that forms micelle-like structures in polar solvents and inverted micelle-like structures in apolar solvents. We demonstrate that these superstructures are the result of the changes in the molecular-level conformations in the monomer.

Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Assemblies of Linear-Dendritic Copolymers

With the goal of developing a pH-responsive micelle system, linear-dendritic block copolymers comprising poly(ethylene oxide) and either a polylysine or polyester dendron were prepared and hydrophobic groups were attached to the dendrimer periphery by highly acid-sensitive cyclic acetals. These copolymers were designed to form stable micelles in aqueous solution at neutral pH but to disintegrate into unimers at mildly acidic pH following loss of the hydrophobic groups upon acetal hydrolysis. Micelle formation was demonstrated by encapsulation of the fluorescent probe Nile Red, and the micelle sizes were determined by dynamic light scattering. The structure of the dendrimer block, its generation, and the synthetic method for linking the acetal groups to its periphery all had an influence on the critical micelle concentration and the micelle size. The rate of hydrolysis of the acetals at the micelle core was measured for each system at pH 7.4 and pH 5, and it was found that all systems were stable at neutral pH but underwent significant hydrolysis at pH 5 over several hours. The rate of hydrolysis at pH 5 was dependent on the structure of the copolymer, most notably the hydrophobicity of the core-forming block. To demonstrate the potential of these systems for controlled release, the release of Nile Red as a "model payload" was examined. At pH 7.4, the fluorescence of micelle-encapsulated Nile Red was relatively constant, indicating it was retained in the micelle, while at pH 5, the fluorescence decreased, consistent with its release into the aqueous environment. The rate of release was strongly correlated with the rate of acetal hydrolysis and was therefore controlled by the chemical structure of the copolymer. The mechanism of Nile Red release was investigated by monitoring the change in size of the micelles over time at acidic pH. Dynamic light scattering measurement showed a size decrease over time, eventually reaching the size of a unimer, thus providing evidence for the proposed micelle disintegration.

Polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) vesicle size control using solution properties and hydrophilic block length

Polymeric vesicles have attracted considerable attention in recent years, since they are a model for biological membranes and have versatile structures with several practical applications. In this study, we prepare vesicles from polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer in dioxane/water and dioxane/THF/water mixtures. We then examine the ability of additives (such as NaCl, HCl, or NaOH), solvent composition, and hydrophilic block length to control vesicle size. Using turbidity measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we show that larger vesicles can be prepared from a given copolymer by adding NaCl or HCl, while adding NaOH yields smaller vesicles. The solvent composition (ratio of dioxane to THF, as well as the water content) can also determine the vesicle size. From a given copolymer, smaller vesicles can be prepared by increasing the THF content in the THF/dioxane solvent mixture. In a given solvent mixture, vesicle size increases with water content, but such an increase is most pronounced when dioxane is used as the solvent. In THF-rich solutions, on the other hand, vesicle size changes only slightly with the water concentration. As to the effect of the acrylic acid block length, the results show that block copolymers with shorter hydrophilic blocks assemble into larger vesicles. The effect of additives and solvent composition on vesicle size is related to their influence on chain repulsion and aggregation number, whereas the effect of acrylic acid block length occurs because of the relationship among the block length, the width of the molecular weight distribution, and the stabilization of the vesicle curvature.

Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Vesicles Based on A Reactive Block Copolymer

Presented in this communication is a novel hybrid vesicle with a cross-linked polyorganosiloxane wall based on a new reactive block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PTMSPMA), which was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The vesicles were prepared first by self-assembly of the block copolymer in a selective solvent, and then the PTMSPMA block was subjected to hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction to fix vesicle wall in the presence of triethylamine as a catalyst. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, NMR, and light scattering have been used to characterize the vesicles.

Molecular dynamics of a dendrimer-dye guest-host system

We use molecular dynamics to investigate the instantaneous structure of a fourth generation (dansyl terminated) dendrimer of propylene amine dissolved in CH(2)Cl(2), and of the same system upon the subsequent encapsulation of several eosin Y dyes. Calculations, in a cubic box with up to approximately 3500 solvent molecules and a maximum of 12 eosins, show that one of the effects of the presence of the guest molecules is to "close" the structure of the box where they are contained. Multiple entrances-exits of the guest molecules in the dendrimer are observed in less than a nanosecond, until the excess eosins are irreversibly expelled and their number is finally brought down to the experimental limit of 6. The guest molecules are distributed at two main distances from the center of the dendrimer and their surroundings are far from static. Eosins move inside the hyperbranched molecule in a way similar to what the solvent molecules do and sometimes aggregate.

Dendron rodcoils: synthesis of novel organic hybrid structures

Convergent and divergent syntheses of novel organic hybrid structures termed dendron rodcoils (DRC) containing dendritic, rodlike, and coillike segments are described. The aryl ester dendron masked with 32 trifluoromethyl groups is prepared via a convergent approach using 5-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)isophthalic acid as the monomer unit. The activation of the focal point of the dendron allows for successful coupling between the dendron and the diblock rodcoil molecules synthesized separately. In another example, the dendritic block is grown via divergent strategy from the terminus of rodcoil using 3,5-bis(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)benzoic acid as an AB(2) monomer. A combination of catalyzed esterification reactions and silyl deprotection chemistry proved to be a very efficient method for construction of these nanosized structures with unusual molecular architecture. Both synthetic strategies allowed for the preparation of DRCs with nearly monodisperse dendritic blocks as demonstrated by NMR, MALDI-TOF, and GPC measurements.

Lipase polystyrene giant amphiphiles

A new type of giant amphiphilic molecule has been synthesized by covalently connecting a lipase enzyme headgroup to a maleimide-functionalized polystyrene tail (40 repeat units). The resulting biohybrid forms catalytic micellar rods in water.

Detection of soft X-rays and a sensitive search for noble gases in comet Hale-Bopp

An image of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) in soft x-rays reveals a central emission offset from the nucleus, as well as an extended emission feature that does not correlate with the dust jets seen at optical wavelengths. Neon was found to be depleted in the cometary ice by more than a factor of 25 relative to solar abundance, which suggests that ices in Hale-Bopp formed at (or later experienced) temperatures higher than 25 kelvin. A helium line emission at a wavelength of 584 angstroms was detected and may be attributable to charge transfer of solar wind alpha particles in the cometary coma. Ionized oxygen and another helium line contribute to an emission observed at 538 angstroms.