This PhD thesis is devoted to the study of the conformational behavior of branched polymers in confined volumes. This behavior depends not only on polymer architecture and composition but also on steric confinement and on interaction of polymer segments with the confining wall. Better understanding of complex entropy-to-enthalpy interplay can elucidate the mechanism of the chromatographic separation at the microscopic level. An unambiguous size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis of mixtures containing different polymer architectures is difficult because the sizes of polymer coils, which determine the separation, depend not only on molar mass but also on the polymer architecture. Modern chromatographic methods combine the SEC with the interaction chromatography (IC). They exploit the fact that polymer interactions with pore walls, which are the prerequisite for efficient IC separation, depend strongly on polymer architecture. The knowledge of the conformational behavior of linear and branched polymers in confined volumes and of their interactions with confining medium enables to find optimum conditions either for enhancing or for suppressing the role of individual factors that influence the separation. We have shown that the complex entropy-to-enthalpy interplay in polymer solutions in confined...

In 1980’s a new class of material named as dendrimer became popular both in the field of polymer science and engineering. Dendrimer is an example of symmetric, highly branched three dimensional globular nano-object. It possess several interesting physical and chemical properties like low solution and melt-viscosity, lower intermolecular chain entanglement, large number of end groups placed at the molecular periphery, relatively high solubility with respect to their linear counterpart. In order to get this perfectly branched structure, one has to go through the tedious multistep synthetic approach, repetitive chromatographic purification and protection-deprotection strategies in every step; all of which limits the large scale production and thus commercialization. On the other hand, hyperbranched polymer, a highly branched analogue of dendritic polymer with few defects in their branching architecture, which can be prepared in a single step, show similar physical and chemical properties as that of dendrimer. Polymerization of AB2 monomer is one of the well established method to generate hyperbranched polymer which upon polymerization, generates plenty of ‘B ’groups at the periphery along with a single ‘A’ group as a focal point in the resulting hyperbranched polymer as shown in Figure 1. From the structural point of view, hyperbranched polymers consist of three distinctly different compartments such as periphery, interior and a (single) focal point. During the past decade our lab have developed a novel melt trans-etherification process to generate polyethers and have utilized to access to a wide variety of hyperbranched structures. One of the challenges we addressed is to selectively functionalize the periphery of the hyperbranched polymer during the polymerization process. Polycondensation of ‘AB2’ monomer is not sufficient enough to generate a wide variety of hyperbranched polymer as the periphery of hyperbranched polymer is limited to the ‘B’ functional group unless it could be modified via ‘post-polymerization modifications’. Copolymerization of ‘AB2’ monomer with stoichiometric amount of ‘A-R’ monomer should result in hyperbranched polymer decorated with ‘R’ groups in the periphery that can be prepared in a single step. One of the prerequisite in the ‘AB2+A-R’ approach is that the comonomer ‘A-R’ should have silent ‘R’ group which does not interfere during the polymerization. During the copolymerization process with stoichiometric amount of ‘A-R’ monomer, ‘AB2’ monomer having one equivalent excess of ‘B’ can react with the ‘A’ group from ‘A-R’ monomer eventually generating the hyperbranched structure with peripheral ‘R’ groups. By appropriately choosing the ‘R’ group, one can access a wide class of hyperbranched polymer with the required functionality. Further by having a reactive ‘R’ group that is not participating in polymerization can act as a handle for post-polymerization modifications. For instance, copolymerization of 1-(6-Hydroxyhexyloxy)-3,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (Hydroxy as ‘A’ and methoxy as ‘B’) and 6-bromo-1-hexanol where ‘OH’ and ‘-(CH2)6Br’ is ‘A’ and ‘R’ functional groups respectively, generates hyperbranched polymer with peripheral alkyl bromide functional groups as shown in Figure 2. The peripheral alkylbromides has been quantitatively transformed to quaternary ammonium or pyridinium salts using trimethyl amine or pyridine respectively. Thus by the post polymerization modification, we have transformed a hydrophobic hyperbranched polymer to a water soluble cationic hyperbranched polymer by simple and efficient post-polymerization modification. In a slightly different objective we Another problem that I have addressed is the difficulty associated with the aforementioned copolymerization approach. In spite of the fact that stoichiometric amounts of ‘A-R’ type monomer was taken in ‘AB2 + A-R’ approach, the extent of peripheral functionalization i.e. the incorporation of ‘R’ group is relatively lower. Further the molecular weight of the hyperbranched polymer obtained is also not high. One of the reasons we adopted ‘AB2 + A-R’ approach is to provide a functional handle for the subsequent post-polymerization modification. We modified the ‘AB2’ type monomer with a functionalizable handle to circumvent the lower amount of incorporation of the ‘A-R’ type monomer in ‘AB2 + A-R’ approach. Of all the readily functionalizable handles, click chemistry found to be a very useful tool for the post-polymerization modifications as the reactions conditions are mild, no side product, high selectivity, easy purification, etc. Another advantage of this reaction is that, we can incorporate any type of functional group starting from a single clickable parent hyperbranched polymer. In this particular project, I have Earlier design of the ‘AB2’ type monomer in our group, to prepare hyperbranched polymer via melt transetherification process, involved benzylic methoxy groups as ‘B’ in ‘AB2’ monomer leading to a hyperbranched polymer with peripheral methoxy groups. Transetherification under melt-conditions is an equilibrium reaction which was driven towards the hyperbranched polymer by continuous removal of methanol from the system as a volatile alcohol. In the new design of ‘AB2’ monomer; we have used benzylic allyloxy groups as ‘B’ in ‘AB2’ monomer, where in polymerization is driven by the continuous removal of allyl alcohol (instead of methanol as in the previous case), generates hyperbranched polymer with peripheral allyloxy group containing hyperbranched polymer. The allyloxy groups can be subsequently functionalized with a variety of thiol, we prepared a hydrocarbon-soluble octadecyl-derivative, amphiphilic systems using 2-mercaptoethanol and chiral amino acid (N-benzoyl cystine) hyperbranched structures by using thiol-ene click reactions (Figure 3). Polymers prepared from the parent hyperbranched polymer have significantly different physical properties like glass transition temperature (Tg), melting point (Tm) etc; thus considering the versatility of functionalization, parent polymer could be envisioned as a clickable hyperscaffold. More interestingly by functionalizing cystine derivative, we have demonstrated the possibility of biconjugation of the hyperbranched polymer. In summary, the limitations of ‘AB2+A-R’ copolymerization approach (low molecular weight Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are very important parameters that influence the physical property and thus the application of the polymeric materials. As predicted by Flory, hyperbranched polymers are inherently polydisperse in nature and it tends to infinity when the percent of conversion is very high. Experimentally observed value of polydispersity is also significantly higher compared to their linear analogues. Control of the molecular weight and polydispersity of hyperbranched polymer by using a suitable amount of reactive multifunctional core has been demonstrated in this project. We have substantiated by using very little amount of ‘B3’ core along with ‘AB2’ monomer; wherein ‘B’ in ‘B3’ are more reactive than ‘B’ in ‘AB2’ monomer, regulate the molecular weight and polydispersity of the resulting hyperbranched polymer. As the ratio of core to monomer increases the molecular weight and polydispersity reduces in nearly linear fashion. In a slightly different objective, the core and periphery are functionalized with two different fluorophore by using orthogonal click reactions and demonstrated the possibility of energy transfer from periphery to the core of the hyperbranched polymer. In this section of my thesis, the self-assembly behavior of a periodically grafted amphiphilic copolymer has been studied. Polymer was synthesized via melt transesterification approach where hexaethylene glycol monomethyl ether (HEG) containing diester monomers are reacted with alkylyne diol monomers with varying carbon spacer (C12 and Another interesting problem, I approached is to functionalize the interior part of the hyperbranched polymer. In the case of dendrimer, as it is a step-wise synthesis, internal functionalization could be accomplished with the order of monomer addition i.e. by putting the internal functional group containing monomer first followed by other monomer not having those functional groups, whereas it is a bit challenging task for hyperbranched polymers especially when dealing with polycondensation of AB2 monomers, as it is a single step polymerization process. For a hyperbranched polymer in the polycondensation of ‘AB2’ monomer, the internal functional group should reside in between of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ functional group wherein the internal functional groups are silent during the process of polymerization. In order to do so, we have designed and synthesized a new AB2 monomer (a in Figure: 4). Here decanol is the volatile condensate that was removed during the transetherification reactions leading to a hyperbranched polymer having allyl group as the internal functional group and decyloxy as the peripheral functional group (b in Figure: 4). As a post-polymerization modification, the interior allyl groups were modified by thiol-ene click reaction with variety of thiol derivatives. In one example, the inherent hydrophobic nature of the parent hyperbranched polymer which is enhanced by the decyl chain at the molecular periphery, is converted to a alkaline water soluble hyperbranched polymer by the click reaction with mercapto succinic acid (d in Figure: 4) or mercapto propionic acid (c in Figure: 4) to the internal allyl groups, generating a novel amphiphilic hypersystem. This kind of amphiphilic systems are very interesting to study for their self-assembly behavior, in this particular case, the modified hyperbranched polymer adopts as a large spherical aggregates in alkaline water evidenced by FESEM (Figure: 4) and AFM images. Further investigation is being carried out to understand the exact nature of these aggregates. As the hyperbranched polymer contained ‘-S-‘ group in the interior, we utilized this as the scaffold for scavenging heavy metal ions like Hg2+ from aqueous solutions to the chloroform solution containing polymer. This hyperbranched polymer could trap Hg2+ ions even when present in ppm level of contamination.

Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit ont porté sur l'élaboration de nouveaux copolymères dibloc amphiphiles (poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(méthacrylate d'oligo(éthylène glycol) méthyl éther) biodégradables, thermostimulables et susceptibles d'être employés dans des applications respectueuses de l'environnement comme le traitement des eaux contaminées. La particularité de ces copolymères provient d'une part de la différence de solubilité des deux blocs et d'autre part de l'association d'un bloc hydrophobe biodégradable à un bloc thermostimulable hydrophile. Les propriétés de ces copolymères en milieu aqueux ont ainsi été évaluées en fonction de la température. Ces composés ont été obtenus par la combinaison de deux techniques de polymérisation contrôlée en utilisant un amorceur difonctionnel. Pour cela, deux stratégies ont été testées : i) la polymérisation par ouverture de cycle (POC) de l'ε-caprolactone à partir d'un macro-amorceur de poly(méthacrylate d'oligo(éthylène glycol) méthyl éther) à terminaison OH après avoir mis au point les conditions expérimentales de la POC en comparant plusieurs catalyseurs. ii) par polymérisation radicalaire par transfert d'atome (ATRP) du méthacrylate d'oligo(éthylène glycol) amorcée à partir d'une poly(ε-caprolactone) à extrémité bromée. Les températures critiques inférieures de solubilité (LCST) de ces copolymères ont été déterminées par UV visible. Leurs comportements micellaires ont été étudiés par mesures HPPS / The development of new biodegradable diblock copolymers poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly[oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate], which could be used in environmental friendly applications such as treatment of contaminated water has been the main goal of this work. For the preparation these copolymers, the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) were combined by using a bifunctional initiator. The two-step route for the synthesis of these copolymers was using either ATRP or ROP as first step and the other polymerization secondly. Each polymerization was studied carefully in order to control the macromolecular parameters of the copolymers. On the one hand, the ATRP of methacrylates bearing oligo(ethylene glycol) was carried out by using poly(ε-caprolactone) with bromide end-group as macroinitiator. On the other hand, the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was initiated by the hydroxyl end-group of the poly[oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate], using tin octoate, tin tetrakis(phenylethynyl) or bismuth triflate as catalysts. The Low Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) of these amphiphilic diblock copolymers in aqueous medium have been determined by UV-visible spectroscopy. Their micellar behaviors were also studied by measuring size by HPPS

A enzima L-Asparaginase (ASNase) é um biofámaco utilizado no tratamento da leucemia linfoblástica aguda, no entanto, a evolução da produção da ASNase como um medicamento desde o final da década de 1970 resultou em apenas quatro alternativas disponíveis no mercado farmacêutico, com relatos de graves reações imunogênicas e toxicidade. Desse modo, a nanotecnologia é uma plataforma que pode ser explorada para administração dessa enzima diminuindo a exposição da mesma a proteases e aumentando a sua meia-vida aparente. Os polimerossomos (PL) são opções que pela nanoestrutura vesicular poderiam encapsular a ASNase em seu core aquoso e pela presença de uma membrana polimérica, são mais robustos que os lipossomos. Assim, neste trabalho objetivou-se desenvolver PL para encapsulação da ASNase como uma alternativa às formulações deste biofármaco existentes. Foram desenvolvidos PL de PEG-PLA, PMPC-PDPA, PEG-PDPA e Pluronic® L-21. Foram estudados fatores relacionados à composição dos copolímeros (fração hidrofílica, responsividade a fatores externos tais como pH e temperatura) e métodos de elaboração (hidratação do filme polimérico, troca de pH e temperatura) bem como foi feita a caracterização dos PL obtidos (tamanho, índice de polidispersão, espessura de membrana, formação de excessivo bulk polimérico, obtenção de micelas). Também foi feito um planejamento racional para encapsulação da ASNase (hidratação direta do filme polimérico e encapsulação por eletroporação, autoagregação com encapsulação por troca de pH ou de temperatura). Para os PL preparados com PEG-PLA, a extrusão resultou em distribuição de tamanhos mais estreitos correspondentes aos valores de PDI de 0,345, 0,144 e 0,081 para PEG45-PLA69, PEG114-PLA153 e PEG114-PLA180, respectivamente. Foi demonstrado que copolímeros com menor fração hidrofóbica resultam em maior eficiência de encapsulação para proteínas, já que possuem volumes aquosos maiores. Com o PMPC25-PDPA72 foi possível encapsular em média três unidades de ASNase por vesículas através da eletroporação ou troca de pH, sendo que no primeiro método houve formação de túbulos e no último método as micelas não foram completamente removidas. Para PEG100-PDPA80, grandes agregados permaneceram após a purificação levando a um PDI alto, mas não foi observada a formação de túbulos, já a troca de pH para este copolímero resultou em maior perda de copolímeros como bulk polimérico precipitado. Para o copolimero tribloco Pluronic® L-121, foi observado que as vesículas eram estáveis durante uma semana à temperatura ambiente, contrariando o que era descrito na literatura. Nesses sistemas, quando preparados por hidratação do filme, a encapsulação da ASNase foi realizada por eletroporação mas a proteína não foi detectada dentro das vesículas. Atribuímos a não-encapsulação à organização da bicamada Pluronic® L-121 sem conformação definida das cadeias poliméricas, dificultando a reorganização do bloco hidrofílico na porção interna do poro durante eletroporação. Por troca de temperatura, cerca de 5 % de ASNase foi encapsulada e o método resultou em total recuperação da atividade da enzima. Desse modo foram obtidos diferentes PL com diferentes características nanoestruturais de acordo com os copolímeros utilizados para carreamento da ASNase. / The enzyme L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is a biopharmaceutical used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, still the industrial production of ASNase as a marketable drug since the late 1970s has resulted in only four alternatives available in the pharmaceutical market, with reports of severe immunogenic reactions and toxicity. In this sense, nanotechnology is a platform that can be exploited to administer this enzyme by decreasing its exposure to proteases and increasing its apparent half-life. Polymerosomes (PL) are interesting routes which by its intrinsically vesicular nanostructure could encapsulate the ASNase in its aqueous core and by the presence of a polymeric membrane, being more robust than the liposomes. Thus, in this work it was intended to develop PL for ASNase encapsulation as an alternative to existing formulations of this biopharmaceutical. PL of PEG-PLA, PMPC-PDPA, PEG-PDPA and Pluronic® L-21 were developed. It was studied the copolymers composition (i.e. hydrophilic fraction, responsiveness to external factors such as pH and temperature), PL design (i.e. polymer film hydration, pH change and temperature) and PL characterization (i.e. size, polydispersity index - PDI, membrane thickness, formation of excessive polymer bulk, micelles production). A suitable experimental planning for ASNase encapsulation (i.e. direct hydration of the polymeric film and encapsulation by electroporation, self-aggregation with encapsulation by pH or temperature change) was also performed. For the PL prepared with PEG-PLA, the extrusion resulted in narrower size distribution corresponding to the PDI values of 0.345, 0.144 and 0.081 for PEG45-PLA69, PEG114-PLA153 and PEG114-PLA180, respectively. It has been shown that copolymers with lower hydrophobic fraction result in higher encapsulation efficiency for proteins, since they have larger aqueous volumes. With PMPC25-PDPA72 PL, it was possible to encapsulate three units of ASNase per vesicles through electroporation or pH change. In the first method, tubules were formed and in the latter one the micelles were not completely removed. For PEO100-PDPA80 PL, large aggregates remained after purification leading to a high PDI value, nevertheless no tubule formation was observed, since the pH change for this copolymer resulted in greater loss of copolymers as a precipitated polymer bulk. For the Pluronic® L-121 triblock copolymer PL, it was observed that the vesicles were stable for one week at room temperature, contrary to what was described in the literature. These PLs were prepared by film hydration method and ASNase encapsulation was performed by electroporation, nonetheless the protein was not detected within the vesicles. It is attributed the non-encapsulation to the organization of the Pluronic® L-121 bilayer without defined conformation of the polymer chains, making it difficult to reorganize the hydrophilic block in the internal portion of the pore during electroporation. By temperature change, about 5% of ASNase was encapsulated and the method resulted in complete recovery of enzyme activity. In conclusion, several PLs with a vast range of differential nanostructural characteristics were obtained according to the copolymers used for ASNase loading.

A enzima L-Asparaginase (ASNase) é um biofámaco utilizado no tratamento da leucemia linfoblástica aguda, no entanto, a evolução da produção da ASNase como um medicamento desde o final da década de 1970 resultou em apenas quatro alternativas disponíveis no mercado farmacêutico, com relatos de graves reações imunogênicas e toxicidade. Desse modo, a nanotecnologia é uma plataforma que pode ser explorada para administração dessa enzima diminuindo a exposição da mesma a proteases e aumentando a sua meia-vida aparente. Os polimerossomos (PL) são opções que pela nanoestrutura vesicular poderiam encapsular a ASNase em seu core aquoso e pela presença de uma membrana polimérica, são mais robustos que os lipossomos. Assim, neste trabalho objetivou-se desenvolver PL para encapsulação da ASNase como uma alternativa às formulações deste biofármaco existentes. Foram desenvolvidos PL de PEG-PLA, PMPC-PDPA, PEG-PDPA e Pluronic® L-21. Foram estudados fatores relacionados à composição dos copolímeros (fração hidrofílica, responsividade a fatores externos tais como pH e temperatura) e métodos de elaboração (hidratação do filme polimérico, troca de pH e temperatura) bem como foi feita a caracterização dos PL obtidos (tamanho, índice de polidispersão, espessura de membrana, formação de excessivo bulk polimérico, obtenção de micelas). Também foi feito um planejamento racional para encapsulação da ASNase (hidratação direta do filme polimérico e encapsulação por eletroporação, autoagregação com encapsulação por troca de pH ou de temperatura). Para os PL preparados com PEG-PLA, a extrusão resultou em distribuição de tamanhos mais estreitos correspondentes aos valores de PDI de 0,345, 0,144 e 0,081 para PEG45-PLA69, PEG114-PLA153 e PEG114-PLA180, respectivamente. Foi demonstrado que copolímeros com menor fração hidrofóbica resultam em maior eficiência de encapsulação para proteínas, já que possuem volumes aquosos maiores. Com o PMPC25-PDPA72 foi possível encapsular em média três unidades de ASNase por vesículas através da eletroporação ou troca de pH, sendo que no primeiro método houve formação de túbulos e no último método as micelas não foram completamente removidas. Para PEG100-PDPA80, grandes agregados permaneceram após a purificação levando a um PDI alto, mas não foi observada a formação de túbulos, já a troca de pH para este copolímero resultou em maior perda de copolímeros como bulk polimérico precipitado. Para o copolimero tribloco Pluronic® L-121, foi observado que as vesículas eram estáveis durante uma semana à temperatura ambiente, contrariando o que era descrito na literatura. Nesses sistemas, quando preparados por hidratação do filme, a encapsulação da ASNase foi realizada por eletroporação mas a proteína não foi detectada dentro das vesículas. Atribuímos a não-encapsulação à organização da bicamada Pluronic® L-121 sem conformação definida das cadeias poliméricas, dificultando a reorganização do bloco hidrofílico na porção interna do poro durante eletroporação. Por troca de temperatura, cerca de 5 % de ASNase foi encapsulada e o método resultou em total recuperação da atividade da enzima. Desse modo foram obtidos diferentes PL com diferentes características nanoestruturais de acordo com os copolímeros utilizados para carreamento da ASNase. / The enzyme L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is a biopharmaceutical used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, still the industrial production of ASNase as a marketable drug since the late 1970s has resulted in only four alternatives available in the pharmaceutical market, with reports of severe immunogenic reactions and toxicity. In this sense, nanotechnology is a platform that can be exploited to administer this enzyme by decreasing its exposure to proteases and increasing its apparent half-life. Polymerosomes (PL) are interesting routes which by its intrinsically vesicular nanostructure could encapsulate the ASNase in its aqueous core and by the presence of a polymeric membrane, being more robust than the liposomes. Thus, in this work it was intended to develop PL for ASNase encapsulation as an alternative to existing formulations of this biopharmaceutical. PL of PEG-PLA, PMPC-PDPA, PEG-PDPA and Pluronic® L-21 were developed. It was studied the copolymers composition (i.e. hydrophilic fraction, responsiveness to external factors such as pH and temperature), PL design (i.e. polymer film hydration, pH change and temperature) and PL characterization (i.e. size, polydispersity index - PDI, membrane thickness, formation of excessive polymer bulk, micelles production). A suitable experimental planning for ASNase encapsulation (i.e. direct hydration of the polymeric film and encapsulation by electroporation, self-aggregation with encapsulation by pH or temperature change) was also performed. For the PL prepared with PEG-PLA, the extrusion resulted in narrower size distribution corresponding to the PDI values of 0.345, 0.144 and 0.081 for PEG45-PLA69, PEG114-PLA153 and PEG114-PLA180, respectively. It has been shown that copolymers with lower hydrophobic fraction result in higher encapsulation efficiency for proteins, since they have larger aqueous volumes. With PMPC25-PDPA72 PL, it was possible to encapsulate three units of ASNase per vesicles through electroporation or pH change. In the first method, tubules were formed and in the latter one the micelles were not completely removed. For PEO100-PDPA80 PL, large aggregates remained after purification leading to a high PDI value, nevertheless no tubule formation was observed, since the pH change for this copolymer resulted in greater loss of copolymers as a precipitated polymer bulk. For the Pluronic® L-121 triblock copolymer PL, it was observed that the vesicles were stable for one week at room temperature, contrary to what was described in the literature. These PLs were prepared by film hydration method and ASNase encapsulation was performed by electroporation, nonetheless the protein was not detected within the vesicles. It is attributed the non-encapsulation to the organization of the Pluronic® L-121 bilayer without defined conformation of the polymer chains, making it difficult to reorganize the hydrophilic block in the internal portion of the pore during electroporation. By temperature change, about 5% of ASNase was encapsulated and the method resulted in complete recovery of enzyme activity. In conclusion, several PLs with a vast range of differential nanostructural characteristics were obtained according to the copolymers used for ASNase loading.

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας ήταν η σύνθεση μιας σειράς τριπολυμερών και ενός πεντασυσταδικού συμπολυμερούς, καθώς και η μελέτη του τρόπου αυτό-οργάνωσής τους σε αραιά υδατικά διαλύματα στα οποία μεταβάλλεται το pH. Τα συμπολυμερή που συντέθηκαν είχαν δομικές μονάδες πολυ(βίνυλο-2-πυριδίνη) P2VP, πολυ(αιθυλενοξείδιο) PEO και πολύ(ε-καπρολακτόνη) PCL. Για την σύνθεση αυτών χρησιμοποιήθηκαν πρόδρομα συμπολυμερή δυο και τριών συστάδων, τα οποία είχαν συντεθεί μέσω ζωντανού ανιονικού πολυμερισμού, και στην συνέχεια με την μέθοδο του πολυμερισμού διάνοιξης δακτυλίου {Ring Opening Polymerization(ROP)} πραγματοποιήθηκε η προσθήκη της ε-CL. Η προσθήκη αυτή πραγματοποιήθηκε με αντίδραση του [Sn(Oct)2] με το ελεύθερο υδροξύλιο του αιθυλενοξειδίου δημιουργώντας έτσι ένα σύμπλοκο που αποτελεί τον εκκινητή, σύμφωνα με τον μηχανισμό εισαγωγής-σύμπλεξης. Ο χαρακτηρισμός των πολυμερών που συντέθηκαν πραγματοποιήθηκε μέσω της Χρωματογραφίας Αποκλεισμού Μεγεθών (SEC) και της Φασματοσκοπίας Πυρηνικού Μαγνητικού Συντονισμού (NMR). Στην συνέχεια προβήκαμε στη μελέτη αραιών υδατικών διαλυμάτων συναρτήσει του pH δυο πολυμερών από αυτά που συνθέσαμε, του πεντασυσταδικού PCL-PEO-P2VP-PEO-PCL και του τριπολυμερούς P2VP-PEO-PCL. Η μελέτη αυτή έγινε μέσω πειραμάτων σκέδασης του φωτός (στατική σκέδαση στις 900 και δυναμική σκέδαση) και μέσω της Ηλεκτρονικής Μικροσκοπίας Σάρωσης (SEM). Τα πολυμερή αυτά αποτελούνται από P2VP της οποίας η συμπεριφορά διαφοροποιείται με τις αλλαγές του pH μετατρέποντάς την σε έναν κατιονικό υδρόφιλο πολυηλεκτρολύτη σε χαμηλές τιμές αυτού, ενώ καθίσταται ηλεκτρικά ουδέτερη καθώς το pH αυξάνει, με αποτέλεσμα να γίνεται υδρόφοβη λόγω της αποπρωτονίωσής της. Η συμπεριφορά αυτή της P2VP σε συνδυασμό με τον υδρόφιλο χαρακτήρα του PEO και τον υδρόφοβο χαρακτήρα της PCL σε όλες τις τιμές του pH, οδήγησε στην δημιουργία πολυμοριακών συσσωματωμάτων σε ορισμένη περιοχή του pH. Μάλιστα το πεντασυσταδικό πολυμερές σχηματίζει σφαιρικά μικκύλια στην συγκεκριμένη περιοχή. Τέλος πρέπει να αναφερθεί ότι η πρωτοτυπία της παρούσας εργασίας εστιάζεται στο γεγονός ότι δεν έχουν μελετηθεί στο παρελθόν συμπολυμερή PCL με PEO και P2VP. Η ιδιότητα των συμπολυμερών που συνθέσαμε να σχηματίζουν πολυμοριακά συσσωματώματα και μικκύλια, ίσως αποβεί πολύ χρήσιμη σε πολλούς τομείς της βιομηχανίας και της βιοϊατρικής. / This project deals with the synthesis of triblock and pentablock copolymers, which were studied in aqueous solutions as a function of pH. The copolymers, which we synthesized, were Poly(2-vinil pyride)-Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(ε-caprolactone) (P2VP-PEO-PCL) and Poly(ε-caprolactone)-Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(2-vinil pyride)- Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEO-P2VP-PEO-PCL). The triblock and pentablock copolymers were synthesized via the method of Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP), using as initiator the stannous octoate [Sn(Oct)2]. For the triblock copolymers’ synthesis we used the diblock P2VP-PEO, which was synthesized via the method of living anionic polymerization, and for the pentablock copolymer’s synthesis we used the triblock PEO-P2VP-PEO, which was synthesized via the same method. The molecular weights and polydispersities were determined by Size Exclusion Chromatography and their compositions by 1H NMR. The properties of these copolymers were studied in aqueous solutions as a function of pH, by several experimental techniques such as static and dynamic light scattering and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The copolymers self organized in different nano structured self-assemblies which depend on the solution pH exhibiting therefore a stimuli responsive behavior.

All organisms have cell membranes which are composed of lipids. The length of lipids affects the elastic properties of the cell membrane which play an important role in cell's survival. For instance, membrane flexibility controls the amount of stress that a membrane can sustain before pore formation. In the bacterial cell membranes, the pore formation is also induced by naturally occurring peptides and synthetic amphiphilic copolymers. For this reason, they are one of the most anticipated novel antimicrobial materials. Understanding the mechanism of their action is essential for their use against microbes. Using coarse-grained simulations and a mean field model, we study lipid bilayer membranes under the variation of stress and tail length, as well as their interaction with flexible amphiphilic copolymers. We used a polymer brush model to describe the free energy of the membrane in terms of entropic contributions and hydrophobic interactions. As the stress is increased on the membranes, at high stresses, the membrane transits to a stable pore state in agreement with simulation results. The increased hydrophobic interaction energy at the interface at high stresses leads to the formation of a pore. The hydrophobic interactions induce a contraction stress and the entropy of lipid tails induces a repulsive stress on the membrane. The simulations show that the entropic contribution to the stress, at its positive values, decreases as the length of lipid tails is increased. This increases the tendency of the membrane with the longer lipids to withstand larger stresses before rupturing into pores, as the internal repulsive stress is reduced. We show that copolymers can enhance the pore stability by decreasing the line tension due to the weak adsorption along the rim of the pore. The bilayers studied in our simulations do not require high copolymer concentration at the pores nor any self-organization of the copolymers to open the pore. This is in contrast to the commonly known barrel stave model where the copolymers are assumed to be strongly localised at the rim of the pore. In the presence of the copolymers, we observe a meta-stable pore state of membrane. This happens at a specific concentration of copolymers depending upon the stress acting on the membrane. If the concentration is further increased from this value, then, the membrane shifts to a stable pore state. An increase in the probability of pore formation is observed as the length of copolymers or stress on the membrane are increased. Both the solvent and copolymer permeability increase as the pore becomes stable.

Στην παρούσα διατριβή διερευνήθηκαν οι παράμετροι που ελέγχουν τη δέσμευση/αποδέσμευση ιόντων Cu2+ ή/και κατιοντικών επιφανειοδραστικών ενώσεων, όπως το βρωμιούχο δεκαεξυλοτριμεθυλαμμώνιο (CTAB) ή το βρωμιούχο δεκαεξυλοτριμεθυλo φοσφώνιο (PC16) από αντίθετα φορτισμένους πολυηλεκτρολύτες. Mελετήθηκαν διαφορετικές πολυμερικές μήτρες που αποτελούνται είτε από εμπορικά διαθέσιμα πολυμερή είτε συντεθήκαν για αυτό το σκοπό, έτσι ώστε να γίνει κατανοητή η επίδραση της χημικής δομής του πολυμερούς στη ταχύτητα δέσμευσης και αποδέσμευσης των δραστικών συστατικών. Καθώς τα ιόντα αυτά έχουν βιοστατική δράση, απώτερος πρακτικός στόχος της διερεύνησης είναι η πιθανή εφαρμογή τέτοιων υβριδικών πολυμερικών υλικών σε υφαλοχώματα που θα εμποδίζουν την απόθεση θαλάσσιων βιοαποθέσεων και θα χαρακτηρίζονται από ιδιότητες «αυτοκαθαρισμού». Έτσι, παρασκευάστηκαν στατιστικά ή συσταδικά αμφίφιλα συμπολυμερή, στα οποία το υδρόφιλο μονομερές μπορεί να δεσμεύσει τα ιόντα Cu2+ ή/και τις αντίθετα φορτισμένες επιφανειοδραστικές ενώσεις, όπως το στυρενοσουλφονικό νάτριο (SSNa), το μηλεϊνικό (ΜΑc) και το ακρυλικό οξύ (ΑΑ), ενώ το υδρόφοβο μονομερές, το οποίο εισάγεται για τον έλεγχο του ισοζυγίου υδροφιλικότητας/υδροφοβικότητας, είναι ο μεθακρυλικός μεθυλεστέρας (ΜΜΑ). Έτσι, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ομοπολυμερές PSSNa αλλά και συμπολυμερή του MAc με το SSNa (P(SSNa50-co-MANa). Επιπλέον, για συγκριτικούς λόγους παρασκευάστηκε και το συμπολυμερές του ΜΑc με οξικό βινυλεστέρα, (P(VAc-co-MAc), ενώ χρησιμοποιήθηκε και το εναλλασσόμενο συμπολυμερές του μηλεϊνικού οξέος με αιθυλένιο, P(Eth-alt-MAc). Τα στατιστικά αμφίφιλα συμπολυμερή P(MMAx-co-SSNa), P(MMAx-co-AA) παρασκευάστηκαν με συμπολυμερισμό ελευθέρων ριζών, ενώ τα συσταδικά αμφίφιλα συμπολυμερή PMMAx-b-PSSNa και PSSNa-b-PMMAx παρασκευάστηκαν με πολυμερισμό ελευθέρων ριζών μέσω μεταφοράς ατόμου (ΑΤRP), χρησιμοποιώντας ως μακροεκκινητή είτε PMMA είτε PSSNa, αντίστοιχα. Τα μοριακά βάρη των συμπολυμερών χαρακτηρίστηκαν με SEC, ενώ η χημική τους δομή ταυτοποιήθηκε με 1H-NMR και FT-IR. Η εκατοστιαία σύσταση των συμπολυμερών σε μονάδες ΜΜΑ, x, κυμαίνεται στην περιοχή 10-65 mol%, όπως προσδιορίστηκε με 1H-NMR και TGA. Από τη συγκριτική μελέτη της αυτοοργάνωσης σε υδατικό διάλυμα των συσταδικών και των στατιστικών αμφίφιλων συμπολυμερών, P(MMAx-co-SSNa) και PSSNa-b-PMMAx) με ιχνηθέτηση με φθορίζοντες ιχνηθέτες διαπιστώθηκε πως τα συσταδικά συμπολυμερή εμφανίζουν σημαντικότερη τάση αυτοοργάνωσης, καθώς έχουν σημαντικά μικρότερη κρίσιμη συγκέντρωση μικκυλοποίησης και χαρακτηρίζονται από υψηλότερα επίπεδα υδροφοβικότητας. Η δέσμευση των ιόντων Cu2+ από τα παραπάνω συμπολυμερή σε αραιά υδατικά διαλύματα πραγματοποιήθηκε μέσω ιονoανταλλαγής χρησιμοποιώντας τη μετά νατρίου άλατος μορφή των συμπολυμερών ή μέσω εξουδετέρωσης της όξινης μορφής των συμπολυμερών με Cu(OH)2 και διερευνήθηκε με φυσικοχημικές μεθόδους, όπως η θολομετρία, η ιξωδομετρία τριχοειδούς και η φασματοσκοπία υπεριώδους-ορατού. Διαπιστώθηκε πως σε αραιά διαλύματα η δέσμευση των ιόντων Cu2+ οδηγεί σε συρρίκνωση των πολυμερικών αλυσίδων (ιξωδομετρία τριχοειδούς). Μάλιστα, σε αντίθεση με τα συμπολυμερή που περιέχουν SSNa, στα πολυμερή που περιέχουν καρβοξυλικές ομάδες, η συρρίκνωση είναι ιδιαίτερα ισχυρή και οδηγεί σε διαχωρισμό φάσεων καθώς η αναλογία των ιόντων Cu2+ προς τις καρβοξυλικές ομάδες προσεγγίζει τη στοιχειομετρία (θολομετρία), ως αποτέλεσμα του σχηματισμού συμπλόκων ένταξης μεταξύ των ιόντων Cu2+ και των καρβοξυλικών ομάδων (φασματοσκοπία υπεριώδους-ορατού). Μάλιστα, στην περίπτωση του P(Eth-alt-MAc), η φασματοσκοπία υπεριώδους-ορατού έδωσε σαφείς ενδείξεις για το σχηματισμό διπύρηνων συμπλόκων χαλκού με τις ομάδες καρβοξυλίου, τα οποία έχουν τη δυνατότητα να δράσουν ως σταυροδεσμοί δικτυώνοντας τις πολυμερικές αλυσίδες. Ως αποτέλεσμα, σε ημιαραιά διαλύματα σχηματίζονται υδροπηκτώματα. Ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον έχει το γεγονός πως οι ιξωδοελαστικές ιδιότητες των σχηματιζόμενων υδροπηκωτμάτων εξαρτώνται σημαντικά από το χρόνο ανάμιξης των συμπολυμερών με τα ιόντα Cu2+. Στην επόμενη φάση διερευνήθηκε ο σχηματισμός μικτών συσσωματωμάτων (συμπλόκων) μεταξύ των πολυηλεκτρολυτών που περιέχουν SSNa και της αντίθετα φορτισμένης επιφανειοδραστικής ένωσης, CTAΒ. Στην περίπτωση του ομοπολυμερούς PSSNa ή των συσταδικών αμφίφιλων συμπολυμερών PSSNa-b-PMMAx παρατηρείται διαχωρισμός φάσεων, καθώς η αναλογία των αλληλεπιδρώντων ειδών προσεγγίζει τη στοιχειομετρία φορτίων. Αντίθετα, όταν χρησιμοποιούνται τα στατιστικά αμφίφιλα συμπολυμερή P(MMAx-co-SSNa) με x=33-47mol%, σχηματίζονται ιξώδη διαλύματα ή ασθενή πηκτώματα. Η ρεολογική διερεύνηση του φαινόμενου κατέδειξε πως εξαρτάται από τη συγκέντρωση του πολυμερούς, τη γραμμομοριακή αναλογία CTAΒ/SSNa και την ιοντική ισχύ του υδατικού διαλύματος. Πριν τις τελικές δοκιμές σε πραγματικές συνθήκες παρασκευάστηκαν αιδιάλυτα στο νερό υβριδικά υλικά πολυμερούς-χαλκού, ενδεχομένως παρουσία CTAΒ ή PC16 χρησιμοποιώντας όλες τις προηγούμενες οικογένειες συμπολυμερών αλλά και εμπορικά διαθέσιμα πολυμερή αντίστοιχης δομής. Χρησιμοποιώντας κατάλληλο εκλεκτικό αντιδραστήριο (bathocuproine) μελετήθηκε φωτομετρικά η αποδέσμευση των ιόντων Cu2+ σε υδατικό διάλυμα NaCl 1 M. Έτσι, διευκρινίστηκε η επίδραση διαφόρων παραγόντων στο ρυθμό αποδέσμευσης των ιόντων Cu2+, όπως η ύπαρξη υδρόφοβων μονομερών, το είδος και το ποσοστό αυτών, η αρχιτεκτονική (στατιστική ή συσταδική) των συμπολυμερών, η εισαγωγή και το είδος της επιφανειοδραστικής ένωσης, ο τρόπος εισαγωγής και το είδος της αλληλεπίδρασης με τα ιόντα Cu2+. Στο τελευταίο στάδιο, διερευνήθηκε η συμβατότητά/αναμιξιμότητα των παρασκευασθέντων βιοστατικών υλικών με τυπικές πολυμερικές μήτρες που μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν σε υφαλοχρώματα. Στις περιπτώσεις που διαπιστώθηκε ικανοποιητική συμβατότητα/αναμιξιμότητα (συστήματα PSSNa/CTAB, PSSNa/PC16, P(SSNa50-co-MANa)/CuPC16, P(VAc-co-MANa)/Cu) και ήταν εφικτό, παρασκευάστηκαν τα αντίστοιχα υφαλοχρώματα. Η συμπεριφορά αυτών των υφαλοχρωμάτων διερευνήθηκε εργαστηριακά με ηλεκτρονική μικροσκοπία σάρωσης (SEM), όσον αφορά τις μορφολογικές μεταβολές της επιφάνειας και τις μεταβολές του πάχους του χρώματος σε επιταχυνόμενες συνθήκες αποδέσμευσης βιοστατικού (υδατικό διάλυμα 5M NaCl). Επίσης, μελετάται και η συμπεριφορά τους σε πραγματικές συνθήκες με τη βοήθεια ειδικής διάταξης σε ελεγχόμενο θαλάσσιο χώρο. / At this thesis, the parameters that influence the interaction and the release of copper ions and/or of cationic surfactants as hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) or hexadecyltrimethyl phosphonium bromide (PC16) from opposite charged polyelectrolytes, are studied. Different polymeric matrixes that are consisted either by commercially available polymers or by polymers that were synthesized for this purpose, were used in order, the influence of the polymer structure to the release rate of copper ions, to be identified. As these ions can behave as biocides, the practical purpose of this study is the possible application of these polymers to self-polishing antifouling paints. Random or block amphiphilic copolymers, whose hydrophilic monomer can interact with copper ions and/or the surfactants, such as styrene sulfonate (SSNa), maleic acid (MAc) and acrylic acid (AA), while the hydrophobic one, which is introduced for the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity control, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), were prepared. In addition, for comparison, the copolymer of maleic acid with vinyl acetate (VAc), (P(VAc-co-MAc)) was prepared. The alternative copolymer of maleic acid with ethylene was also used. The random copolymers P(MMAx-co-SSNa), P(MMAx-co-AA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization while the block copolymers PMMAx-b-PSSNa and PSSNa-b-PMMAx were synthesized through atom transfer polymerization (ATRP), using either PMMA or PSSNa as macroinitiator. The molecular weights of the copolymers were determined by SEC while their structure was identified by 1H-NMR and FT-IR. The copolymer composition in MMA untis is between 10-65 mol% as it was determined by 1H-NMR and TGA. The ability of self-assembling of random and block copolymers (P(MMAx-co-SSNa) και PSSNa-b-PMMAx) in aqueous solution was studied by pyrene fluorescence probing. The block copolymers was found to present self-assembling properties as they have lower critical micellization concentration. The binding of Cu2+ by the above mentioned polymers in dilute solutions was achieved through ion-exchange procedure using the sodium salt form of the copolymers or through neutralization of the acid form of the polymers using Cu(OH)2. Tholometry, viscometry and UV-Vis spectrometry were used to study this binding. The interaction of Cu2+ with the polymers leads to the shrinkage of the polymer chains. To the copolymers that contain carboxylic groups this shrinkage is more intense and leads to macroscopic phase separation, as the ratio of Cu2+ to the carboxylic groups is near the stoichiometry, as a consequence of complexes formation. The UV-Vis study of P(Eth-alt- MAc) denoted the formation of binuclear complexes between the Cu2+ and the carboxylic groups. These complexes can behave as crosslinks of the polymer chains. As a result, in semi-dilute solutions, gels are formed. Interestingly, the viscoelastic properties of these gels are dependent on the time elapsed from the mixture of the Cu2+ with the polymer. The interaction of polyelectrolytes that contain SSNa units, with opposite charged surfactant CTAΒ was studied. The interaction of homopolymer PSSNa or of the blocks copolymers PSSNa-b-PMMAx with CTAB leads to phase separation as the ratio of these compounds is near the stoichiometry. On the contrast, the interaction of CTAB with random copolymers P(MMAx-co- SSNa) where x=33-47mol%, leads to the formation of very viscous solutions or weak gels. By the study of the rheological properties of these systems, the influence of the polymer concentration, the molar ratio CTAΒ/SSNa and the ionic strength was found. All the above mentioned polymers where used for the preparation of hybrid materials that contain Cu2+. CTAΒ ή PC16 were also introduced to some of them in order to take a water insoluble material. The final purpose of this thesis was to control the release of Cu+2 ions from the prepared hybrid materials in aqueous NaCl 1M solution. The Cu+2 -release studies were performed photometrically using a selective dye (bathocuproine). As a result, the influence of many parameters such as the presence of hydrophobic monomers, their type and their content, the architecture of the copolymers (random or blocks), the introduction and the type of surfactants, the way of introduction of copper ions to the polymers and the type of their interaction was studied. The compatibility of all these materials with matrixes which are used in the antifouling paints was studied. In case that this compatibility was satisfying, antifouling paints using these polymeric materials (PSSNa/CTAB, PSSNa/PC16, P(SSNa50-co-MANa)/CuPC16, P(VAc-co-MANa)/Cu) were prepared. The morphology of the surface of these paints and the changes to their thickness was studied by SEM after staying in aqueous solution of NaCl 5M. Their behavior to real conditions (sea) is being studied.

Ce sujet s'inscrit dans le domaine de la vectorisation de médicaments et de la nanomédecine, un domaine en pleine expansion. Les nanovecteurs destinés à la santé doivent être stables, non-toxiques et furtifs vis-à-vis du système immunitaire pour pouvoir circuler librement dans le sang. C'est pourquoi il est nécessaire d'élaborer des polymères pouvant former des nanoparticules possédant un caractère furtif. Le poly(acide lactique) (PLA) est un polyester hydrophobe et biodégradable couramment utilisé pour former des nanoparticules (NPs) capables d'encapsuler des composés apolaires. Le poly(2-méthyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx) est un polymère hydrophile, biocompatible et non toxique. Il peut être synthétisé par polymérisation cationique par ouverture de cycle (CROP), ce qui permet la préparation de polymères avec un bon contrôle de la masse molaire et une faible polymolécularité. Différentes architectures de copolymères PMeOx-co-PLA (di-,triblocs ou greffés) ont été développées en couplant la CROP et la chimie « clic ». Des NPs sont obtenues par nanoprécipitation de ces copolymères et caractérisées par un large éventail de techniques expérimentales dont, notamment, la diffusion dynamique de la lumière, la cryo-microscopie électronique à transmission, et la diffusion de neutrons aux petits angles. Ces techniques complémentaires ont permis de mettre en évidence l'obtention de NPs possédant des structures internes variées, telles que des polymersomes, des nanoparticules cœur-couronne ou multicouches. L'évaluation de la furtivité a été menée par l'étude de l'adsorption d'une protéine modèle, l'albumine de sérum bovin (BSA), sur la surface des nanoparticules. Enfin l'encapsulation de l'α-tocophérol et de quantum dots a démontré les nombreuses possibilités d'application de ces nouvelles NPs / This subject falls within the fields of drug delivery and nanomedecine, a topic of growing interest over the last years. Nanosystems dedicated to health must be stable, non-toxic and stealthy in the immune system in order to move freely in the blood. For this purpose, the design of elaborate polymers that can form stealthy nanoparticles is required. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a hydrophobic and biodegradable polyester usually used to form nanoparticles able to encapsulate apolar compounds. Poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx) is a hydrophilic, biocompatible and non toxic polymer. PMeOx can be synthesized via cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP), which allows the design of polymers with a good control of the molecular weights and a low dispersity. Thus, in this context, we have developed several strategies to design different architectures of amphiphilic PMeOx-co-PLA copolymers such as di-, triblock or graft copolymers. Such strategies relied on the combined use of CROP and « click »chemistry ». Nanoparticles were obtained by nanoprecipitation, and characterized by a wide range of experimental techniques including dynamic light scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering. These complementary approaches evidenced that nanoparticles could be obtained with a large variety of internal structure, such as polymersomes, core-shell or multilayer nanoparticles. The evaluation of the stealthiness was performed by considering the adsorption behavior of a model protein, bovin serum albumine (BSA), on the surface of the nanoparticles. The encapsulation of α-tocopherol and quantum dots demonstrated the numerous applicative possibilities offered by these new NPs

Orientador: Maria Isabel Felisberti / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T18:00:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Trinca_RafaelBergamo_D.pdf: 7109183 bytes, checksum: 36f8cbad69a4e17b2adb60ccbc082e94 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo a síntese e a caracterização de poliuretanas segmentadas (SPUs), baseadas em macrodióis de baixa massa molar (2 kDa) ¿ poli(etileno glicol), poli(L-lactídeo) e poli(carbonato de trimetileno) (PEG, PLLA e PTMC, respecti- vamente) ¿ e diferentes diisocianatos (2,4-diisocianato-tolueno e 1,6-diisocianato-hexano, 2,4-TDI e HDI, respectivamente) e extensores de cadeia (1,4-butanodiol e ácido-2,2-bis(hidroximetil)-propanóico BDO e DMPA, respectivamente). Os macrodióis PLLA e PTMC foram sintetizados por polimerização por abertura de anel (ROP). As SPUs foram obtidas por uma rota de duas etapas: pré-polimerização dos macrodióis com diisocianatos e extensão de cadeia. Estudou-se os efeitos da razão mássica entre os macrodióis sobre as propriedades físico-químicas e morfológicas de SPUs mono, bi e tricomponentes baseadas em 2,4-TDI e BDO. Análises de ¹H NMR e GPC revelaram diferenças na reatividade dos macrodióis, que resultaram em diferenças de composição das SPUs em relação ao meio reacional e na distribuição de massa molar. Análises por DSC, DMTA, AFM e ensaios de intumescimento revelaram que as propriedades intrínsecas dos precursores foram combinadas e moduladas nas SPUs. A combinação dos três macrodióis resultou em SPUs com propriedades únicas, não encontradas nas SPUs binárias e monocomponentes. Os efeitos da natureza de diisocianatos e extensores de cadeia sobre as propriedades de SPUs ternárias também foram estudados. As SPUs baseadas em diisocianatos simétricos (HDI) apresentam temperatura de transição vítrea inferior aos baseados em 2,4-TDI, além disso, essas SPUs são semicristalinas, enquanto as baseadas em 2,4-TDI são essencialmente amorfas. A morfologia das SPUs, tipicamente de fase dispersa em uma matriz, é afetada pela proporção entre os macrodióis e pela natureza dos diisocianatos e dos extensores de cadeia. A capacidade das SPUs em intumescer em água é governada pelo teor de PEG e varia com a temperatura (SPUs termo-responsivas) enquanto as SPUs baseadas em DMPA apresentaram intumescimento dependente do pH do meio (SPUs responsivas ao pH). SPUs com menor teor de PEG e ricas em PLLA foram processadas pela técnica de eletrofiação, resultando em filmes nano fibrosos e porosos com propriedades elastoméricas / Abstract: This study aimed at the synthesis and characterization of segmented polyurethanes (SPUs), based on low molecular weight (2 kDa) macrodiols ¿ poly(ethylene glycol), poly(L-lactide) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PEG, PLLA and PTMC, respectively) - and different diisocyanates (2,4-diisocyanato-toluene and 1,6-diisocyanato-hexane, 2,4-TDI and HDI, respectively) and chain extenders (1,4-butanediol and 2,2-bis-hydroxymethyl-propanoic acid, DMPA and BDO respectively). The PLLA and PTMC macrodiols were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The SPUs were obtained by a two-step route: synthesis of prepolymers from diisocyanates and macrodiols, followed by a chain extension step. The effects of the weight ratio of macrodiols on the physico-chemical and morphological properties of SPUs based on 2,4-TDI and BDO were studied. The ¹H NMR and GPC analysis revealed differences in reactivity of macrodióis, which resulted in differences in composition of the SPUs in relation to the reaction medium and in the molar mass distribution. Analysis by DSC, DMTA, AFM and swelling assays revealed that the intrinsic properties of the precursors were combined and modulated in SPUs. The combination of the three macrodiols results in SPUs with unique properties not found in binary and single component SPUs. The effects of the nature of the chain extenders and diisocyanates on the properties of ternary SPUs were also studied. The SPUs based on symmetrical diisocyanates (HDI) presents lower glass transition temperatures than those based on 2,4-TDI. Moreover, they are semi crystalline while SPUs based on 2,4-TDI are essentially amorphous. The morphology of the SPUs, typically of a dispersed phase in a matrix, is affected by the macrodiols ratio and by the nature of diisocyanates and chain extenders. The water swelling capability of the SPUs is governed by the PEG content and varies with temperature (temperature responsive SPUs) as well as with pH (pH responsive SPUs) when BDO is replaced with DMPA. SPUs with low PEG content and rich in PLLA were processed by electrospinning technique, resulting in nanofibrous porous films with elastomeric properties / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências