Issue 34, 2015

Effects of the molecular weight and the valency of guest-modified poly(ethylene glycol)s on the stability, size and dynamics of supramolecular nanoparticles

Abstract

The influence of the polymer length and the valency of guest-modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the stability, size tunability and formation dynamics of supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs) has been studied. SNPs were formed by molecular recognition between multi- and monovalent supramolecular building blocks with host or guest moieties, providing ternary complexes of cucurbit[8]uril, methyl viologen and naphthol (Np). SNP assembly was carried out using monovalent Np-modified oligo(ethylene glycol)s and PEGs with 3 or, on average, 18, 111, or 464 ethylene glycol (EG) repeat units. SNP formation and stoichiometry-controlled size tuning were observed for SNPs prepared with Np-modified PEGs containing between 18 and 464 EG repeat units, whereas no distinct assemblies were formed using the shorter Np-functionalized tri(ethylene glycol). Tentatively, the stabilization of SNPs by monovalent PEGs is partly attributed to dynamic exchange. Use of the divalent Np-functionalized PEG (with 113 EG repeat units) slowed down the SNP assembly dynamics and distinct sizes were only obtained when performing the self-assembly at 40 °C for 12 h.

Graphical abstract: Effects of the molecular weight and the valency of guest-modified poly(ethylene glycol)s on the stability, size and dynamics of supramolecular nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
09 Jun 2015
Accepted
21 Jul 2015
First published
21 Jul 2015

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015,3, 6945-6952

Author version available

Effects of the molecular weight and the valency of guest-modified poly(ethylene glycol)s on the stability, size and dynamics of supramolecular nanoparticles

C. Stoffelen, E. Staltari-Ferraro and J. Huskens, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, 3, 6945 DOI: 10.1039/C5TB01111F

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