Crosslinkable and pH-sensitive amphiphilic block copolymers are promising candidates to establish pH-stable and permeable vesicles for synthetic biology. Here, we report the fabrication of crosslinked and pH-stable polymersomes as swellable vesicles for the pH-dependent loading and release of small dye molecules. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

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O Poli(ácido láctico) (PLA) é um polímero biodegradável, biocompatível e biorreabsorvível proveniente de fontes renováveis. Constitui uma excelente alternativa sustentável para os polímeros provenientes de petróleo, atualmente dominantes no mercado industrial. Porém, apresenta baixas ductilidade e tenacidade como principais limitações mecânicas. Um dos métodos mais utilizados para modificar essas propriedades é a mistura mecânica do PLA com polímeros flexíveis, como a poli(ε-caprolactona) (PCL). Entretanto, o alto desempenho mecânico de blendas PLA/PCL é difícil de ser atingido devido à imiscibilidade dos polímeros. A melhoria de propriedades, neste caso, só é conseguida por meio de compatibilização. Este trabalho visa avaliar o efeito compatibilizante do copolímero tribloco de baixo peso molecular derivado de ε-caprolactona e tetrametileno éter glicol disponível comercialmente em blendas imiscíveis de PLA com PCL. Blendas binárias e ternárias foram preparadas por mistura mecânica no estado fundido via processo de extrusão em rosca simples. O teor de PLA nas blendas variou em 75, 50 e 25% (% em massa) e a concentração do copolímero em 0, 1,5, 3 e 5% (% em massa). A avaliação morfológica e o comportamento térmico e mecânico das blendas PLA/PCL foram realizados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica (DMTA) e ensaios mecânicos de tração, flexão e impacto Izod. O efeito compatibilizante do copolímero foi mais bem observado nas blendas com 75% (% em massa) de PLA, enquanto que nas blendas com 50% e 25% (% em massa) de PLA esse efeito não foi tão evidente. Os resultados obtidos no ensaio de tração mostraram que com o aumento do teor de compatibilizante, a tensão no escoamento, a tensão na ruptura e o módulo elástico das blendas com 75% (% em massa) de PLA se mantiveram praticamente constantes, enquanto que a deformação na ruptura evoluiu de 20% na blenda com 1,5% (% em massa) de copolímero para 84% na blenda com 5% (% em massa) de copolímero. As análises morfológicas indicaram que o copolímero em bloco agiu na interface PLA/PCL, melhorando sua adesão. Esse resultado foi reforçado pelas análises térmicas, onde foi constatado que as Tg\'s e Tm\'s do PLA e do PCL nas blendas não apresentaram alterações, o que indica que o copolímero encontra-se na região interfacial da blenda. A resistência ao impacto Izod com entalhe, propriedade mecânica utilizada nesse trabalho como uma medida da tenacidade, da blenda PLA75C5 alcançou 42 J/m, valor significativamente superior ao determinado para o PLA puro, por volta de 28 J/m. Esses resultados mostram claramente que o copolímero tribloco derivado de ε-caprolactona e tetrametileno éter glicol é um eficiente compatibilizante para blendas PLA/PCL. / The Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer derived from renewable sources. It is an excellent sustainable alternative to polymers derived from oil, currently dominating the industry. However, PLA has low ductility and poor toughness as main mechanical limitations. Mechanical mixing of PLA with flexible polymers, such as poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), is one of the most used methods to modify these properties. However, a high mechanical performance of PLA/PCL blends is difficult to achieve due to the immiscibility of the polymers. The improvement of properties in this case is achieved only by compatibilization. This study aims to evaluate compatibilizer effect of a low molecular weight tri-block copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and tetramethylene ether glycol, commercially available, on immiscible blends of PLA with PCL. Binary and ternary blends were prepared by mechanical blending in melt state through a single screw extrusion. The content of PLA in the blends ranged in 75, 50 and 25 wt% and the concentration of copolymer in 0, 1.5, 3 and 5 wt%. The morphological evaluation and the thermal and mechanical behavior of PLA/PCL blends were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and tensile test, flexural and Izod impact. The compatibilizer effect of the copolymer was more clearly observed in the blends with 75 wt% PLA, whereas in blends with 50 wt% to 25 wt% of PLA this effect was not so evident. The results of the mechanical tests showed that with the increase of the compatibilizer content, the yield stress, the stress at break and the elastic modulus of the blends with 75% (wt%) remained practically constant, while the elongation at break evolved from 20% in the blend with 1.5 wt% of copolymer to 84% in the blend to with 5 wt% of copolymer. Morphological analysis indicated that the block copolymer acted in the PLA/PCL interface, improving adhesion. This results were reinforced by thermal analysis, where it was found that the Tg and Tm of PLA and PCL in the blends showed no change, indicating that the copolymer is in the interfacial region of the blend. The Izod impact strength (Notched Izod), mechanical properties used in this work as a measure of toughness, of the blend PLA75C5 reached 42 J/m, significantly higher than the determined for pure PLA, about 28 J/m. These results clearly show that the triblock copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and tetramethylene ether glycol is a good compatibilizer for blends PLA/PCL because it acts at the interfacial region, promoting the adhesion between the phases.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a síntese e propriedades do copolímero poli(l,l-lactídeo-stat-e-caprolactona)-bloco-poli(óxido de etileno)-bloco-poli(l,l-lactideostat-e-caprolactona). Poli(óxido de etileno) de massa molar 20.000 u.m.a. e poli(óxido de etileno) modificado, preparado a partir de poli(glicol etilênico) de massa molar 4.000 u.m.a., foram selecionados para o processo da síntese. A reação foi feita pela polimerização por abertura de anel em massa a 120ºC usando octoanato de estanho como iniciador. A composição química de cada amostra foi determinada com auxílio de RMN-1H e RMN-13C e suas propriedades mecânicas foram verificadas e comparadas utilizando análises térmicas como DMTA, DSC, TG e a aplicação da MEV como análise complementar. A observação pelas fotos de MOLP permitiu a visualização do comportamento de nucleação dos copolímeros e as características de sua cristalinidade. Seu grau de cristalinidade e as fases cristalinas foram identificados por difração de raios X (WAXS). A biocompatibilidade do material também foi examinada pela cultura de células. Os resultados de caracterização indicam o sucesso da copolimerização, as propriedades elastoméricas e, sua não citotoxidade comprovaram a possibilidade do uso destes copolímeros como biomateriais. Contudo, o tempo prolongado de reação e baixa incorporação do monômero lactídeo ainda são questões a serem melhoradas para a viabilização do copolímero como material de implante na área biomédica. / This work includes the study of the synthesis and characterization of the copolymer poly(l,l-lactide-stat-e-caprolactone)-b-PEG-b-poly(l,l-lactide-stat-e-caprolactone). Poly (ethylene oxide) with molar weight 20.000 and poly(ethylene oxide) modified, prepared from poly(ethylene oxide) with molar weight 4000 have been selected for this synthesis process. The reaction was done by ring-opening bulk polymerization, using stannous octoate as initiator at 120ºC. The chemical composition of samples were determined by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR and their mechanical properties were verified using thermal analyses like DMTA, DSC and TG. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied as a complementary analysis. The pictures of polarizing optical microscopy showed us the copolymer\'s nucleation behaviors and their respective crystallization. The degrees of crystallinity and phase of copolymers were determined by WAXS. The biocompatibility of the copolymer was examined by cell cultivation test. The result of these analyses above indicated the success of synthesis. Their rubbery properties and non-toxicity allowed their application as biomaterial. However, the long reaction time and low incorporation of monomer of lactide might to be improved to increase its potential use in biomedical area in the future.

O Poli(ácido láctico) (PLA) é um polímero biodegradável, biocompatível e biorreabsorvível proveniente de fontes renováveis. Constitui uma excelente alternativa sustentável para os polímeros provenientes de petróleo, atualmente dominantes no mercado industrial. Porém, apresenta baixas ductilidade e tenacidade como principais limitações mecânicas. Um dos métodos mais utilizados para modificar essas propriedades é a mistura mecânica do PLA com polímeros flexíveis, como a poli(ε-caprolactona) (PCL). Entretanto, o alto desempenho mecânico de blendas PLA/PCL é difícil de ser atingido devido à imiscibilidade dos polímeros. A melhoria de propriedades, neste caso, só é conseguida por meio de compatibilização. Este trabalho visa avaliar o efeito compatibilizante do copolímero tribloco de baixo peso molecular derivado de ε-caprolactona e tetrametileno éter glicol disponível comercialmente em blendas imiscíveis de PLA com PCL. Blendas binárias e ternárias foram preparadas por mistura mecânica no estado fundido via processo de extrusão em rosca simples. O teor de PLA nas blendas variou em 75, 50 e 25% (% em massa) e a concentração do copolímero em 0, 1,5, 3 e 5% (% em massa). A avaliação morfológica e o comportamento térmico e mecânico das blendas PLA/PCL foram realizados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica (DMTA) e ensaios mecânicos de tração, flexão e impacto Izod. O efeito compatibilizante do copolímero foi mais bem observado nas blendas com 75% (% em massa) de PLA, enquanto que nas blendas com 50% e 25% (% em massa) de PLA esse efeito não foi tão evidente. Os resultados obtidos no ensaio de tração mostraram que com o aumento do teor de compatibilizante, a tensão no escoamento, a tensão na ruptura e o módulo elástico das blendas com 75% (% em massa) de PLA se mantiveram praticamente constantes, enquanto que a deformação na ruptura evoluiu de 20% na blenda com 1,5% (% em massa) de copolímero para 84% na blenda com 5% (% em massa) de copolímero. As análises morfológicas indicaram que o copolímero em bloco agiu na interface PLA/PCL, melhorando sua adesão. Esse resultado foi reforçado pelas análises térmicas, onde foi constatado que as Tg\'s e Tm\'s do PLA e do PCL nas blendas não apresentaram alterações, o que indica que o copolímero encontra-se na região interfacial da blenda. A resistência ao impacto Izod com entalhe, propriedade mecânica utilizada nesse trabalho como uma medida da tenacidade, da blenda PLA75C5 alcançou 42 J/m, valor significativamente superior ao determinado para o PLA puro, por volta de 28 J/m. Esses resultados mostram claramente que o copolímero tribloco derivado de ε-caprolactona e tetrametileno éter glicol é um eficiente compatibilizante para blendas PLA/PCL. / The Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer derived from renewable sources. It is an excellent sustainable alternative to polymers derived from oil, currently dominating the industry. However, PLA has low ductility and poor toughness as main mechanical limitations. Mechanical mixing of PLA with flexible polymers, such as poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), is one of the most used methods to modify these properties. However, a high mechanical performance of PLA/PCL blends is difficult to achieve due to the immiscibility of the polymers. The improvement of properties in this case is achieved only by compatibilization. This study aims to evaluate compatibilizer effect of a low molecular weight tri-block copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and tetramethylene ether glycol, commercially available, on immiscible blends of PLA with PCL. Binary and ternary blends were prepared by mechanical blending in melt state through a single screw extrusion. The content of PLA in the blends ranged in 75, 50 and 25 wt% and the concentration of copolymer in 0, 1.5, 3 and 5 wt%. The morphological evaluation and the thermal and mechanical behavior of PLA/PCL blends were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and tensile test, flexural and Izod impact. The compatibilizer effect of the copolymer was more clearly observed in the blends with 75 wt% PLA, whereas in blends with 50 wt% to 25 wt% of PLA this effect was not so evident. The results of the mechanical tests showed that with the increase of the compatibilizer content, the yield stress, the stress at break and the elastic modulus of the blends with 75% (wt%) remained practically constant, while the elongation at break evolved from 20% in the blend with 1.5 wt% of copolymer to 84% in the blend to with 5 wt% of copolymer. Morphological analysis indicated that the block copolymer acted in the PLA/PCL interface, improving adhesion. This results were reinforced by thermal analysis, where it was found that the Tg and Tm of PLA and PCL in the blends showed no change, indicating that the copolymer is in the interfacial region of the blend. The Izod impact strength (Notched Izod), mechanical properties used in this work as a measure of toughness, of the blend PLA75C5 reached 42 J/m, significantly higher than the determined for pure PLA, about 28 J/m. These results clearly show that the triblock copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and tetramethylene ether glycol is a good compatibilizer for blends PLA/PCL because it acts at the interfacial region, promoting the adhesion between the phases.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a síntese e propriedades do copolímero poli(l,l-lactídeo-stat-e-caprolactona)-bloco-poli(óxido de etileno)-bloco-poli(l,l-lactideostat-e-caprolactona). Poli(óxido de etileno) de massa molar 20.000 u.m.a. e poli(óxido de etileno) modificado, preparado a partir de poli(glicol etilênico) de massa molar 4.000 u.m.a., foram selecionados para o processo da síntese. A reação foi feita pela polimerização por abertura de anel em massa a 120ºC usando octoanato de estanho como iniciador. A composição química de cada amostra foi determinada com auxílio de RMN-1H e RMN-13C e suas propriedades mecânicas foram verificadas e comparadas utilizando análises térmicas como DMTA, DSC, TG e a aplicação da MEV como análise complementar. A observação pelas fotos de MOLP permitiu a visualização do comportamento de nucleação dos copolímeros e as características de sua cristalinidade. Seu grau de cristalinidade e as fases cristalinas foram identificados por difração de raios X (WAXS). A biocompatibilidade do material também foi examinada pela cultura de células. Os resultados de caracterização indicam o sucesso da copolimerização, as propriedades elastoméricas e, sua não citotoxidade comprovaram a possibilidade do uso destes copolímeros como biomateriais. Contudo, o tempo prolongado de reação e baixa incorporação do monômero lactídeo ainda são questões a serem melhoradas para a viabilização do copolímero como material de implante na área biomédica. / This work includes the study of the synthesis and characterization of the copolymer poly(l,l-lactide-stat-e-caprolactone)-b-PEG-b-poly(l,l-lactide-stat-e-caprolactone). Poly (ethylene oxide) with molar weight 20.000 and poly(ethylene oxide) modified, prepared from poly(ethylene oxide) with molar weight 4000 have been selected for this synthesis process. The reaction was done by ring-opening bulk polymerization, using stannous octoate as initiator at 120ºC. The chemical composition of samples were determined by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR and their mechanical properties were verified using thermal analyses like DMTA, DSC and TG. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied as a complementary analysis. The pictures of polarizing optical microscopy showed us the copolymer\'s nucleation behaviors and their respective crystallization. The degrees of crystallinity and phase of copolymers were determined by WAXS. The biocompatibility of the copolymer was examined by cell cultivation test. The result of these analyses above indicated the success of synthesis. Their rubbery properties and non-toxicity allowed their application as biomaterial. However, the long reaction time and low incorporation of monomer of lactide might to be improved to increase its potential use in biomedical area in the future.

There is a need for multifunctional polymer-particle complexes for use in biomedical applications such as for drug delivery or as MRI contrast agents where composition and stability are essential for the complexes to function. This work outlines a general methodology for rationally designing complexes stabilized with polymer brush layers using adapted star polymer models for brush extension and pair potential. Block copolymer micelles were first utilized for experimental validation by using the brush extension model to predict the size and the interaction model to predict the second virial coefficient, A2. Subsequently, the models were used to predict the size and colloidal stability of magnetite-polymer complexes using the modified Deryaguin-Verwey-Landau-Overbeek theory. Novel hydrophilic triblock copolymers comprised of poly(ethylene oxide) tailblocks and a carboxylic acid containing polyurethane center block were examined by static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and densiometry. Under conditions when the charge is suppressed such as at low pH and/or high ionic strength, the polymer chains self-assemble into micelles, whereas unimers alone are present under conditions where charge effects are important, such as high pH and low ionic strength. A model for effective interaction between star polymers was used to obtain an expression for the second virial coefficient (A2) for micelles in solution. The values of A2 obtained using this method were compared with experimentally determined values for star polymers and micelles. In doing so, not only was a new means of calculating A2 a priori introduced, but the applicability of star polymer expressions to micellar systems was established. Through the analogy of micelles to sterically stabilized nanoparticles, this model was applied to water-soluble block copolymers adsorbed on magnetite nanoparticles for the purpose of tailoring a steric stabilizing brush layer. The sizes of the magnetite-polymer complexes were predicted using the star polymer model employed for the micelle study with an added layer to account for the anchor block. Colloidal stability was predicted from extended DLVO theory using the pair interaction. This work will lead to a better understanding of how to design ion-containing block copolymers for steric stabilization of metal oxide nanoparticles. / Ph. D.

Les polymères répondant au pH ou à la température deviennent hydrophobes à partir d’un pH ou d’une température critique. Associés à un bloc polymère hydrophile, ils peuvent former des micelles réversibles en solution aqueuse en réponse à un stimulus. Cette thèse décrit principalement la synthèse par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée de copolymères à blocs triple hydrophiles de type ABC ou ACB, composés d’un bloc très hydrophile (PEO, bloc A), d’un bloc répondant à la température et au pH (PDMAEMA, bloc B) et d’un bloc cationique (PDMAEMAquat, bloc C). Leur caractérisation par chromatographie d’exclusion stérique en phase aqueuse s’est révélée peu concluante ; c’est pourquoi nous les avons analysés par RMN diffusionnelle. D’autre part, l’auto-assemblage en solution aqueuse de ces copolymère triblocs en fonction du pH et de la température a été étudié par RMN 1H et par DLS. Par ailleurs, le bloc C, cationique, forme un complexe hydrophobe avec un polymère chargé négativement (PSS). Les objets résultant de cette complexation entre le dernier bloc du tribloc ABC et le PSS ont été caractérisés par RMN 1H, par DLS, par RMN diffusionnelle et par TEM. Leur comportement en solution aqueuse en fonction du pH et de la température a également été abordé. / PH- or temperature-responsive polymers become hydrophobic from a critical pH or temperature. When they are associated to a hydrophilic block, they may respond to a stimulus by forming reversible micelles in aqueous solution. This thesis mainly deals with the synthesis by controlled radical polymerization of ABC- or ACB-type triple hydrophilic block copolymers, based on a highly hydrophilic block (PEO, A-block), a pH- and temperature-responsive moiety (PDMAEMA, B-block) and a cationic sequence (PDMAEMAquat, C-block). As their characterization by SEC in aqueous phase was not conclusive, they were therefore analyzed by diffusional NMR. In addition, their self-assembly in aqueous solution depending on pH or temperature was studied by 1H NMR and DLS. Furthermore, the cationic C-block form a so-called polyelectrolyte complex with a negatively charged polymer (PSS). Objects resulting from the complexation between the last block of ABC-triblock and PSS were characterized by 1H NMR, DLS, diffusional NMR and TEM. Their behavior in aqueous solution was also investigated depending on pH and temperature.

Les copolymères à blocs sont des matériaux très intéressants en raison de leur capacité à s’auto-organiser pour former des domaines de quelques dizaines de nanomètres. Cette organisation peut être mise à profit pour obtenir des matériaux hybrides organiques/inorganiques dans lesquels la phase inorganique peut être structurée dans un des domaines plutôt que répartie de façon aléatoire. Ceci peut conférer des propriétés particulières aux copolymères hybrides. Notre travail de thèse s’inscrit dans cette problématique. Des copolymères à blocs ont été modifiés soit par greffage en solution de molécules organiques/inorganiques du type POSS réactif (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane), soit par mélange en solution ou à l’état fondu de POSS non réactif. Les copolymères triblocs considérés sont du type SBS (styrène-butadiène-styrène) et SEBS-g-MA (styrène-éthylène-butène-styrène greffé anhydride maléique). L’ensemble de ces copolymères a été caractérisé expérimentalement afin de déterminer leur morphologie et leur comportement thermo-mécanique. En parallèle une approche théorique a été proposée, basée sur la modélisation moléculaire de ces copolymères à l’échelle mésoscale. La méthode sélectionnée ‘Dissipative Particle Dynamics’ a permis de modéliser la morphologie de nos copolymères avec succès ainsi que celle de nos matériaux hybrides modifiés par les POSS. Ces derniers peuvent être dispersés à l’échelle moléculaire ou au contraire former des agrégats, selon le procédé de mise en œuvre et la structure chimique des POSS. / Experimental approaches and a modeling method have been carried out in parallele. The simulation method was used firstly to confirm the experimental results, and then will be applied to more complex nanocomposites. A series of hybrid systems based on triblock copolymer of polystyrene-butadiene-polystyrene (SBS) grafted with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane(POSS) molecules with a dimethylsiloxy group (DMIPOSS) were synthesized by a hydrosilation method. The characteristics on incorporation of an unreactive POSS with constituent cyclohexyl (CyPOSS) in SBS matrix have been compared with above systems. The nanocomposites obtained were analyzed by atomic force microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray scattering and dynamic mechanical.The same strategy has been carried out on polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene-g-maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) with other type of POSS. Dynamic particles dissipative (DPD) simulation methods in Materials Studio (Accelrys) were employed to study morphology of SB, SBS, SEBS and hybrid system. In this mesoscopic method, the polymer is simplified as a series of connecting beads which contains one or more monomer units. And all monomer units interact with each other following Newtonian Equations of Motion.