mz5004757_si_001.pdf (5.24 MB)
Compartmentalization in Hybrid Metallacarborane Nanoparticles Formed by Block Copolymers with Star-Like Architecture
journal contribution
posted on 2014-11-18, 00:00 authored by Vladimír Ďorďovič, Mariusz Uchman, Alexander Zhigunov, Antti Nykänen, Janne Ruokolainen, Pavel MatějíčekOne
strategy to control the morphology of hybrid polymeric nanostructures
is the proper selection of macromolecule architecture. We prepared
metallacarborane-rich nanoparticles by interaction of double-hydrophilic
block copolymers consisting of both poly(2-alkyl oxazolines) and poly(ethylene
oxide) blocks with cobaltabisdicarbollide anion in physiological saline.
The inner structure of the hybrid nanoparticles was studied by cryo-TEM,
light scattering, SAXS, NMR, and ITC. Although the thermodynamics
of diblock and star-like systems are almost identical, the macromolecular
architecture has a great impact on the size and inner morphology of
the nanoparticles. While hybrid nanoparticles formed by linear diblock
copolymers are homogeneous, resembling gel-like nanospheres, the star-like
shape of 4-arm block copolymers with PEO blocks in central parts of
macromolecules leads to distinct compartmentalization. Because metallacarboranes
are promising species in medicine, the studied nanoparticles are important
for targeted drug delivery of boron cluster compounds.