%0 Journal Article
%A Chrysostomou, Varvara
%A Da Vela, Stefano
%A Pispas, Stergios
%A Papadakis, Christine M.
%T pH and Temperature Dependence of Low‐Core T<sub>g</sub> Micellar Structures Formed by PDMAEMA ‐ b ‐ PLMA Diblock Copolymers in Aqueous Solution
%J Journal of polymer science
%V 63
%N 7
%@ 2642-4150
%C Hoboken, NJ
%I Wiley
%M PUBDB-2025-01380
%P 1684 - 1694
%D 2025
%X A diblock copolymer featuring a hydrophobic block with a low glass transition temperature and a pH-responsive, cationic block is synthesized and investigated with respect to its self-assembly behavior in aqueous solution. The synthesis of the poly(lauryl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer PDMAEMA<sub>60</sub>-b-PLMA<sub>40</sub> is carried out using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Its self-assembly in dilute aqueous solution at pH 7 is investigated using various light scattering methods. Micelles with a positive zeta potential are identified. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering reveals changes in the inner structure of the micelles as a function of temperature and at pH values above, below and close to the pKa value of PDMAEMA (ca. 7.5). At all pH values, cigar-shaped core–shell micelles are found. While the micellar size and shape hardly change with temperature at pH 5, temperature responsivity is observed at pH 7 and 10, resulting in, among others, a change of the core size. These structural changes are facilitated by the softness of the PLMA core. Such systems may be suitable for the co-delivery of hydrophobic drugs and nucleic acids.
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)16
%9 Journal Article
%U <Go to ISI:>//WOS:001419099300001
%R 10.1002/pol.20241120
%U https://bib-pubdb1.desy.de/record/626388