L’objectif de ce travail de thèse était la synthèse d’un nouveau matériau polyuréthane biorsourcé composé par du caoutchouc naturel modifié chimiquement et par du poly(ε-caprolactone), (PCL), en présence ou absence d’isocyanates. Des oligoisoprènes téléchéliques hydroxylés (HTNR) ont été obtenus après époxidation du caoutchouc naturel et réduction des oligomères carbonyles. Plusieurs paramètres ont été étudiés comme la nature et la quantité relative de diisocyanate, le rapport molaire entre diisocyanate et diol (NCO:OH), l’influence de la masse molaire des diols HTNR et PCL, le pourcentage de 1,4-butane diol (BDO, extenseur de chaîne), et le rapport molaire entre les diols HTNR:PCL. Trois types de diisocyanate ont été employés : isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), toluène-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) et hexaméthylène diisocyanate (HDI). Masses molaires différentes ont été utilisées pour les diols HTNR et PCL: 1700, 2800 et 2900 g/mol pour HTNR et 530 et 2000 g/mol pour PCL. Le rapport molaire entre NCO:OH était entre 0,75:1,00 – 2,85:1,00. Les PU ont été préparés par la méthode « one shot » et les structures chimiques des HTNR et PU ont été identifiées par 1H-NMR et FTIR. La résistance à la traction et à la rupture ont été étudiées. La caractérisation a été conduite par DSC, DMTA, ATG et spectroscopie Raman. Une étude préliminaire a montré que la masse molaire du PU augmentait avec le rapport NCO:OH et le temps de réaction, et que le chloroforme n’était pas un bon solvant pour obtenir des films. Le tetrahydrofurane était le solvant le plus approprié et il a été utilisé par la suite pour toutes les polymérisations. Le rapport NCO:OH = 1,25:1,00 s’est révélé optimal pour obtenir des films. L’analyse FTIR a permis de vérifier la présence de liaisons uréthane, de points de réticulation et de branchements. Le polyuréthane a montré des propriétés mécaniques excellentes dépendantes de la composition chimique. Si on exclue l’utilisation de PCL2000 et de HDI, le comportement à la traction était caractéristique des élastomères. Les PU étaient amorphes sauf lorsque le HDI a été employé. Duos ce cos été obtenais un PU semi cristallin. Cette cristallinité augmente le module de Young, la résistance à la rupture, la dureté et la stabilité thermique du PU. Pour ce PU ont observé une séparation de phase entre les segments du PCL et du HTNR. Les chaînes plus longues et plus flexibles du HTNR et leur non polarité sont responsables de la diminution des propriétés mécaniques et des températures de transition. Le materiae pane d’un comportement élastomère a un comportement plastique pour un rapport NCO:OH élevé (2,85 :1,00). Le dégréé de réticulation élevé a été retenu comme la cause pour laquelle il n’y avait pas de séparation de phase entre les segments souples et durs. La liaison hydrogène entre le diol PCL et le segment hard a généré des Tg élevées. Les spectres Raman ont montré la formation de la liaison uréthane du PU contenant différents diisocyanates. La synthèse de PU sans diisocyanate a été obtenue grâce à une réaction de polyaddition entre des carbonates cycliques téléchéliques dérivés du PCL et du caoutchouc naturel, et la 1,4-butylène diamine. Les structures contenant des carbonates cycliques ont été obtenues grâce à la modification des groupes OH sur le HTNR et le PCL à groupes carboxyle, utilisant l’anhydride succinique, et a la réaction successive avec le glycérol carbonate. / The aim of this research work was to prepare a novel bio-based polyurethane (PU) composed by chemically modified natural rubber (NR) and poly(ε-caprolactone) diol (PCL), with and without isocyanate. Hydroxyl telechelic natural rubber (HTNR) was synthesized via epoxidized and carbonyl telechelic natural rubber. The parameters studied included type and relative amount of diisocyanate, molar ratio between diisocyante and diol (NCO:OH), molecular weight of HTNR and PCL diol, 1,4-butane diol (BDO, chain extender) content and molar ratio between HTNR:PCL diols. Three types of diisocyanate were employed: isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). The number average molecular weights of HTNR and PCL diol were selected: 1700, 2800 and 2900 g/mol for HTNR and 530 and 2000 g/mol for PCL diol. The NCO:OH molar ratio was in the range 0.75:1.00 – 2.85:1.00. PU was prepared by one-shot method. The chemical structure of HTNR, PCL and PU were identified by 1H-NMR FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Tensile properties and tear resistance of PU were investigated. Characterization of mechanical and thermal properties was carried out using DSC, DMTA and TGA. A preliminary study showed that the molecular weight of PU increased with increasing NCO:OH molar ratio and reaction time, and chloroform was not a good solvent for polymer casting. Tetrahydrofuran was an appropriate solvent as it allowed film formation and it was used in all the other experiments. The NCO:OH molar ratio of 1.25:1.00 was suitable for preparing good PU films. FTIR analysis verified the presence of urethane linkages and crosslinking or chain branching. PU demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, which depended on the chemical composition. Excluding the use of PCL2000 and HDI, the tensile behavior seemed to have typical elastomeric characteristics. PU became amorphous except in the case of HDI, which was able to crystallize leading to the crystalline PU. The crystallinity increased the Young’s modulus, the tear strength, the hardness and the thermal stability of PU. PU showed a phase separation between the PCL and HTNR segments. The longer and more flexible chain and non-polarity of HTNR were responsible of a decrease of the mechanical properties and transition temperatures. The very high molar ratio of NCO:OH (2.85:1.00) changed the tensile characteristics from an elastomer to a plastic. The high crosslinking was attributed to there being no phase separation between the hard and the soft segment. Hydrogen bonding between the PCL diol and the hard segment produced a high Tg. Raman spectra were able to identify the urethane linkage of PU containing different diisocyanates by showing the relative absorbance peaks. Synthesis of PU without isocyanate was successfully obtained via a polyaddition polymerization between a cyclic carbonate telechelic PCL/NR and 1,4-butylenediamine. The cyclic carbonate telechelic NR and cyclic carbonate telechelic PCL were prepared via the modification of the hydroxyl end groups of HTNR and PCL diols to carboxylic acid end groups by reacting with succinic anhydride. Then, the carboxylic acid end groups were changed to the cyclic carbonate end groups by using glycerol carbonate.

The knowledge regarding certain issues in polymer crystallization e.g. the possible existence of short–lived mesophases remains inconclusive due to experimental limitations. Polymers undergo chain folding upon crystallization, which introduces some complications that are not found in crystallization of low molar mass materials. Chain–folded crystals are far from their equilibrium shape and they rearrange rapidly at the crystallization temperature. This, together with the slow experimental techniques traditionally used, impedes the observation of the originally formed structures. To approach this problem, molecularly constrained polymer structures (in which the crystallizing chains are fixed at one end whereas the other end is free to move) have been studied by X–ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The crystallization studies performed in star–branched polyesters showed that the dendritic cores have a pronounced effect on the crystallization of the linear poly(ε–caprolactone) (PCL) arms attached to them. The star–branched polymers showed slower crystal rearrangement, higher equilibrium melting point, higher fold surface free energy, moderately lower crystallinity, and a greater tendency to form spherulites in comparison with linear PCL. The crystal unit cell was the same in both linear and star–branched PCL. Single crystals of the star–branched polymers were more irregular and showed smoother fold surfaces than linear PCL crystals. No sectorial preference was observed in the crystals of the star–branched polymers upon melting while the single crystals of linear PCL showed earlier melting in the {100} sectors than in the {110} sectors. Some of the differences observed can be attributed to the dendritic cores, which must be placed in the vicinity of the fold surface and thus influence the fold surface structure, the possibility of major crystal rearrangement and the presence of a significant cilia phase during crystal growth causing diverging crystal lamellae and consequent spherulite formation. The attachment of the many crystallizable chains to a single core reduces the melt entropy, which explains the higher equilibrium melting point of star–branched PCL. The crystallization behavior of a series of poly(ethylene oxybenzoate)s was also studied. The polymers showed a profound tendency for crystal rearrangement during melting even at high heating rates. The Hoffman–Weeks extrapolation method was found to be unsuitable to calculate the equilibrium melting point of the samples studied because the melting point vs. crystallization temperature data were sensitive to the variations in crystallisation time, which led to significant variations in the equilibrium melting points obtained. / QC 20100914

Commonly used thermoplastic biodegradable polymers are generally brittle and lack appreciable elasticity at physiological temperature and thereby fail to mimic the elastic nature of many human soft tissues such as blood vessels. Thus, there is a need for biomaterials which exhibit elasticity. Biodegradable elastomers are promising candidates whose elasticity more closely parallels that of soft tissues. In this research, we developed hybrid biodegradable elastomers comprised of organic and inorganic polymer components in a block copolymer system: poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), respectively. A block structure maintains the distinct properties of the PCL and PDMS components. These elastomers may be useful for the tissue engineering of soft tissues as well as for shape memory polymer (SMP) devices. Tri-block macromers of the form PCLn-block-PDMSm-block-PCLn were developed to permit systematic variations to key features including: PDMS block length, PCL block length, PDMS:PCL ratio, and crosslink density. The macromer was capped with acrylating groups (AcO) to permit their photochemical cure to form elastomers. Thus, a series of biodegradable elastomers were prepared by photocrosslinking a series of macromers in which the PCL blocks varied (n = 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40) and the PDMS block was maintained (m = 37). All elastomers displayed hydrophobic surface properties and high thermal stability. These elastomers demonstrated systematic tuning of mechanical properties as a function of PCL block length or crosslink density. Notable was strains at break as high as 814% making them suitable for elastomeric bioapplications. Elastomers with a critical PCL block length (n = 30 or 40) exhibited shape memory properties. Shape memory polymers based on an organic-inorganic, photocurable silicon-containing polymer system is a first of its kind. This SMP demonstrated strain fixity of 100% and strain recovery near 100% after the third thermomechanical cycle. Transition from temporary to permanent shape was quite rapid (2 sec) and at temperatures near body temperature (60 degrees C). Lastly, porous analogues of the biodegradable elastomers were created using a novel porogen - salt leaching technique. Resulting porous elastomers were designed for tissue engineering scaffolds or shape memory foams.

Submitted by Gustavo Nascimento (gustavo.diniz@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-02-02T14:58:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ELIEBER BARROS BEZERRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGCEMAT 2014.pdf: 7994493 bytes, checksum: 4a404e61a81ba68d735ac09a14b80f8a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-02T14:58:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ELIEBER BARROS BEZERRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGCEMAT 2014.pdf: 7994493 bytes, checksum: 4a404e61a81ba68d735ac09a14b80f8a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-19 / Estudos têm sido realizados com o intuito de criar processos que utilizem matérias-primas renováveis, gerando assim produtos não agressivos ao meio ambiente, sem perder em qualidade ou desempenho. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a obtenção de sistemas de poli(ε-caprolactona) (PCL) com subproduto da cultura algodoeira, a fim de avaliar a influência dos componentes línter e nanolínter de algodão nas propriedades finais dos compósitos poliméricos. Os sistemas de PCL com 1, 3 e 5% de cargas foram obtidos em extrusora e, processados em injetora, caracterizados quanto à composição lignocelulósica, tamanho de partícula e potencial zeta, difração de raios-X (DRX), termogravimetria (TG), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), propriedades mecânicas e temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT). Por meio da caracterização lignocelulósica foi observado um alto teor de celulose para a fibra vegetal e, por medida do tamanho de partícula e potencial zeta, foram observadas partículas com diâmetro médio na faixa nanométrica. Por DRX, foi vista a presença dos picos característicos da PCL pura, do línter e da nanocelulose. Para os sistemas PCL/Línter e PCL/Nano não foram visualizadas alterações nos picos característicos da matriz. Por TG, foi verificada que a presença da carga não influenciou no comportamento térmico dos sistemas. Por DSC, não foram observadas alterações na cristalinidade dos sistemas com a presença do línter e do nanolínter. Por meio das fotomicrografias de MEV, foi observada a má adesão da matriz polimérica ao línter e ao nanolínter. Por meio dos ensaios de tração e flexão, foi observado que os sistemas com línter apresentaram um pequeno aumento no módulo e na resistência. Para os sistemas contendo nanolínter, os valores de módulo e de resistência foram similares aos da matriz. Por meio do ensaio de resistência ao impacto, foi observado que as cargas utilizadas diminuíram a resistência dos compósitos. Um aumento na temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT) dos sistemas foi visto com a presença das cargas. / Estudos têm sido realizados com o intuito de criar processos que utilizem matérias-primas renováveis, gerando assim produtos não agressivos ao meio ambiente, sem perder em qualidade ou desempenho. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a obtenção de sistemas de poli(ε-caprolactona) (PCL) com subproduto da cultura algodoeira, a fim de avaliar a influência dos componentes línter e nanolínter de algodão nas propriedades finais dos compósitos poliméricos. Os sistemas de PCL com 1, 3 e 5% de cargas foram obtidos em extrusora e, processados em injetora, caracterizados quanto à composição lignocelulósica, tamanho de partícula e potencial zeta, difração de raios-X (DRX), termogravimetria (TG), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), propriedades mecânicas e temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT). Por meio da caracterização lignocelulósica foi observado um alto teor de celulose para a fibra vegetal e, por medida do tamanho de partícula e potencial zeta, foram observadas partículas com diâmetro médio na faixa nanométrica. Por DRX, foi vista a presença dos picos característicos da PCL pura, do línter e da nanocelulose. Para os sistemas PCL/Línter e PCL/Nano não foram visualizadas alterações nos picos característicos da matriz. Por TG, foi verificada que a presença da carga não influenciou no comportamento térmico dos sistemas. Por DSC, não foram observadas alterações na cristalinidade dos sistemas com a presença do línter e do nanolínter. Por meio das fotomicrografias de MEV, foi observada a má adesão da matriz polimérica ao línter e ao nanolínter. Por meio dos ensaios de tração e flexão, foi observado que os sistemas com línter apresentaram um pequeno aumento no módulo e na resistência. Para os sistemas contendo nanolínter, os valores de módulo e de resistência foram similares aos da matriz. Por meio do ensaio de resistência ao impacto, foi observado que as cargas utilizadas diminuíram a resistência dos compósitos. Um aumento na temperatura de deflexão térmica (HDT) dos sistemas foi visto com a presença das cargas.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2014-12-16T19:58:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Percília de Andrade Lucena - 2014.pdf: 1506404 bytes, checksum: c895c029b3a1ac62acf42cd19fad7214 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-12-22T10:32:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Percília de Andrade Lucena - 2014.pdf: 1506404 bytes, checksum: c895c029b3a1ac62acf42cd19fad7214 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-22T10:32:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Percília de Andrade Lucena - 2014.pdf: 1506404 bytes, checksum: c895c029b3a1ac62acf42cd19fad7214 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-19 / Polymeric nanoparticles have been used as carriers of drugs that are able to increase the efficacy of many active ingredients. Among the nanocarriers include nanocapsules (NCs), which are vesicular structures containing oil inside surrounded by a polymer wall and nanospheres (NSs) that are impregnated with polymer matrices drug throughout its surface. These structures have many applications such as optimizing drug delivery and reducing the toxic potential of drugs. Itraconazole family of a drug Azole has a broad spectrum of action against fungi and has appropriate pharmacokinetic characteristics for a drug. Thus, this study aims to develope and characterize nanostructured systems containing Itraconazole. Polymeric nanoparticles were obtained by the nanoprecipitation technique, lyophilized, characterized, and evaluated physical-chemically incorporated into mucoadhesive topical formulation. Nanocapsules containing Itraconazole showed encapsulation efficiency rate of 99 ± 6.9%, a mean diameter of 190 ± 10.1 nm, PDI 0.1 ± 0:06 and zeta potential -15 ± 2.5 mV. The nanospheres exhibited rate of encapsulation efficiency of 97 ± 2.8%, mean diameter 120 ± 0.8 nm, 0.1 ± 0.01 PDI and zeta potential -10 ± 3.5 mV. Lyophilization was carried out with 10% trehalose + 10% sucrose, achieving satisfactory results. The drug release after 30 days at 37 °C was 99% for the NCs and 92% for the NEs. The mucoadhesive topical formulation has in its composition 60% Poloxamer 188, 20% polyethylene glycol 400 and 5mg nanostructured itraconazole were incorporated homogeneously. The results indicate that the formulation of Itraconazole in polymeric nanoparticles has potential for in vivo use in the topical treatment of fungal infections. / Nanopartículas poliméricas têm sido utilizadas como carreadores de fármacos capazes de aumentar a eficácia de muitos insumos ativos. Dentre os nanocarreadores, destacam-se: nanocápsulas (NCs), que são estruturas vesiculares, contendo óleo no interior, circundadas por uma parede polimérica e nanoesferas (NEs) que são matrizes poliméricas impregnadas com fármaco por toda sua superfície. Essas estruturas possuem diversas aplicações como otimizar a entrega de fármacos e reduzir o potencial tóxico. O Itraconazol um fármaco da família dos azóis possui um amplo espectro de ação contra fungos e apresenta características farmacocinéticas apropriadas para um fármaco. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar sistemas nanoestruturados contendo Itraconazol. As nanopartículas poliméricas foram obtidas através da técnica da nanoprecipitação, liofilizadas, caracterizadas, avaliadas físicoquimicamente e incorporadas em formulação tópica mucoadesiva. As nanocápsulas contendo Itraconazol apresentaram taxa de eficiência de encapsulação de 99±6.9%, diâmetro médio de 190±10.1 nm, PDI 0.1±0.06 e potencial zeta -15±2.5 mV. As nanoesferas exibiram taxa de eficiência de encapsulação de 97±2.8%, diâmetro médio de 120±0.8 nm, PDI 0.1±0.01 e potencial zeta -10±3.5 mV. A liofilização foi realizada com 10% de trealose + 10% de sacarose, alcançando resultados satisfatórios. A liberação do fármaco após 30 dias a 37°C foi de 99% para as NCs e 92% para as NEs. A formulação tópica mucoadesiva possui em sua composição 60% Poloxamer 188 e 20% de Polietilenoglicol 400 e 5mg de itraconazol nanoestruturado foram incorporados homogeneamente. Os resultados indicam que a formulação de itraconazol em nanopartículas poliméricas apresenta potencial para utilização in vivo no tratamento tópico de infecções fúngicas.

Tissue engineering is receiving tremendous attention due to the necessity to overcome the limitations related to injured or diseased tissues or organs. It is the perfect combination of cells and biomimetic-engineered materials. With the appropriate biochemical factors, it is possible to develop new effective bio-devices that are capable to improve or replace biological functions. Latest developments in microfabrication methods, employing mostly synthetic biomaterials, allow the production of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that are able to direct cell-to-cell interactions and specific cellular functions in order to drive tissue regeneration or cell transplantation. The presented work offers a rapid and efficient method of 3D scaffolds fabrication by using optical lithography and micro-molding techniques. Bioresorbable polymer poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) was the material used thanks to its high biocompatibility and ability to naturally degrade in tissues. 3D PCL substrates show a particular combination in the designed length scale: cylindrical shaped pillars with 10μm diameter, 10μm height, arranged in a hexagonal lattice with spacing of 20μm were obtained. The sidewalls of the pillars were nanostructured by attributing a 3D architecture to the scaffold. The suitability of these devices as cell culture technology supports was evaluated by plating NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human Neural Stem Cells (hNSC) on them. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out in order to examine the micro- and nano-patterns on the surface of the supports. In addition, after seeding of cells, SEM and immunofluorescence characterization of the fabricated systems were performed to check adhesion, growth and proliferation. It was observed that cells grow and develop healthy on the bio-polymeric devices by giving rise to well-interconnected networks. 3D PCL nano-patterned pillared scaffold therefore may have considerable potential as effective tool for applications in tissue engineering.

The structural evolution of micromolded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and its miscible blends with noncrystallizable poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) at the nanoscale was investigated as a function of deformation ratio and blend composition using in situ synchrotron smallangle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning SAXS techniques. It was found that the deformation mechanism of the oriented samples shows a general scheme for the process of tensile deformation: crystal block slips within the lamellae occur at small deformations followed by a stressinduced fragmentation and recrystallization process along the drawing direction at a critical strain where the average thickness of the crystalline lamellae remains essentially constant during stretching. The value of the critical strain depends on the amount of the amorphous component incorporated in the blends, which could be traced back to the lower modulus of the entangled amorphous phase and, therefore, the reduced network stress acting on the crystallites upon addition of PVME. When stretching beyond the critical strain the slippage of the fibrils (stacks of newly formed lamellae) past each other takes place resulting in a relaxation of stretched interlamellar amorphous chains. Because of deformation-induced introduction of the amorphous PVME into the interfibrillar regions in the highly oriented blends, the interactions between fibrils becomes stronger upon further deformation and thus impeding sliding of the fibrils to some extent leading finally to less contraction of the interlamellar amorphous layers compared to the pure PCL / National Natural Science Foundation of China (21204088 and 21134006). This work is within the framework of the RCUK/EPSRC Science Bridges China project of UK−China Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI).

Two-dimensional (2D) nanoscale confinement effects on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) crystallization were probed through crystallization studies of PCL-b-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PCL-b-PtBA) copolymers, PCL with bulky tri-tert-butyl ester endgroups (PCL triesters), PCL with triacid end groups (PCL triacids), and magnetic nanoparticles stabilized by PCL triacid (PCL MNPs) at the air/water (A/W) interface. Thermodynamic analyses of surface pressure-area per monomer (Π−A)) isotherms for the Langmuir films at the A/W interface showed that PCL-b-PtBA copolymers, PCL triheads and PCL MNPs all formed homogenous monolayers below the dynamic collapse pressure of PCL, Π_C ~11 mN•m⁻¹. For compression past the collapse point, the PCL monolayers underwent a phase transition to three-dimensional (3D) crystals and the nanoscale confinements impacted the PCL crystalline morphologies. Studies of PCL-b-PtBA copolymers revealed that the morphologies of the LB-films became smaller and transitioned to dendrites with defects, stripes and finally nano-scale cylindrical features as the block length of PtBA increased. For the case of PCL triester, irregularly shaped crystals formed at the A/W interface and this was attributed to the accumulation of bulky tert-butyl ester groups around the crystal growth fronts. In contrast, regular, nearly round-shaped lamellar crystals were obtained for PCL triacids. These morphological differences between PCL triacids and PCL triesters were molar mass dependent and attributed to differences in dipole density and the submersion of carboxylic acid groups in the subphase. Nonetheless, enhanced uniformity for PCL triacid crystals was not retained once the polymers were tethered to the spherical surface of a PCL MNP. Instead, the PCL MNPs exhibited small irregularly shaped crystals. This nano-scale confinement effect on the surface morphology at the A/W interface was also molar mass dependent. For the small molar mass PCL MNPs, two layers of collapsed nanoparticles were observed. In a later chapter, studies of polyethylene glycol (PEG) surfactant adsorption onto phospholipid bilayers through quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) measurements revealed a strong dependence of the adsorption and desorption kinetics on hydrophobic tail group structure. PEG surfactants with a single linear alkyl tail inserted and saturated the bilayer surface quickly and the surfactants had relatively fast desorption rates. In contrast, PEG lipids, including dioleoyl PEG lipids and cholesterol PEGs, demonstrated slower adsorption and desorption kinetics. The interactions of Pluronics and Nonoxynol surfactants with phospholipid bilayers were also studied. Pluronics showed no apparent affinity for the phospholipid bilayer, while the Nonoxynol surfactants damaged the lipid bilayers as PEG chain length decreased. / Ph. D.

Ce travail a pour objectif principal la modification de la surface de nanoparticules de polymères par de nouveaux copolymères amphiphiles et biocompatibles, possédant différentes architectures. Les copolymères considérés dans cette étude sont composés d'une chaine hydrophile de poly(oxyde d'éthylène) (POE) et d'une chaîne hydrophobe à base de poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL).<br />A partir d'un POE coiffé par une unité ε-caprolactone et par un groupement méthoxy à ses extrémités α et ω, respectivement, (γPOE.CL), des copolymères amphiphiles greffés, PCL-g-POE, et un copolymère ternaire possédant une architecture en étoile ont été synthétisés. Des copolymères diblocs, POE-b-PCL, ont également été préparés. <br />Les copolymères diblocs et greffés de POE et PCL, tensioactifs, ont été utilisés pour stabiliser et modifier la surface de nanoparticles polymères (NP), vecteurs potentiels pour la délivrance de principes actifs. L'effet des propriétés des copolymères (architecture, composition et quantité) sur la formation et la structure des nanoparticules, a été examiné. De plus, l'activation du complément, c.-à.-d. la furtivité des nanoparticules, en fonction de la composition et de l'architecture du copolymère utilisé a été étudiée.<br />Un autre défi relevé dans ce travail est la fonctionnalisation de la surface de nanoparticules pas des motifs mannose afin de cibler des cellules dendritiques. A cet effet, des dérivés du mannose ont été fixés de manière covalente à l'extrémité de la poly(ε-caprolactone) et de copolymères diblocs POE-b-PCL. Ces derniers ont été utilisés avec succès pour modifier la surface de nanoparticules de polylactide.

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse était la synthèse d'un nouveau matériau polyuréthane biorsourcé composé par du caoutchouc naturel modifié chimiquement et par du poly(ε-caprolactone), (PCL), en présence ou absence d'isocyanates. Des oligoisoprènes téléchéliques hydroxylés (HTNR) ont été obtenus après époxidation du caoutchouc naturel et réduction des oligomères carbonyles. Plusieurs paramètres ont été étudiés comme la nature et la quantité relative de diisocyanate, le rapport molaire entre diisocyanate et diol (NCO:OH), l'influence de la masse molaire des diols HTNR et PCL, le pourcentage de 1,4-butane diol (BDO, extenseur de chaîne), et le rapport molaire entre les diols HTNR:PCL. Trois types de diisocyanate ont été employés : isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), toluène-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) et hexaméthylène diisocyanate (HDI). Masses molaires différentes ont été utilisées pour les diols HTNR et PCL: 1700, 2800 et 2900 g/mol pour HTNR et 530 et 2000 g/mol pour PCL. Le rapport molaire entre NCO:OH était entre 0,75:1,00 - 2,85:1,00. Les PU ont été préparés par la méthode " one shot " et les structures chimiques des HTNR et PU ont été identifiées par 1H-NMR et FTIR. La résistance à la traction et à la rupture ont été étudiées. La caractérisation a été conduite par DSC, DMTA, ATG et spectroscopie Raman. Une étude préliminaire a montré que la masse molaire du PU augmentait avec le rapport NCO:OH et le temps de réaction, et que le chloroforme n'était pas un bon solvant pour obtenir des films. Le tetrahydrofurane était le solvant le plus approprié et il a été utilisé par la suite pour toutes les polymérisations. Le rapport NCO:OH = 1,25:1,00 s'est révélé optimal pour obtenir des films. L'analyse FTIR a permis de vérifier la présence de liaisons uréthane, de points de réticulation et de branchements. Le polyuréthane a montré des propriétés mécaniques excellentes dépendantes de la composition chimique. Si on exclue l'utilisation de PCL2000 et de HDI, le comportement à la traction était caractéristique des élastomères. Les PU étaient amorphes sauf lorsque le HDI a été employé. Duos ce cos été obtenais un PU semi cristallin. Cette cristallinité augmente le module de Young, la résistance à la rupture, la dureté et la stabilité thermique du PU. Pour ce PU ont observé une séparation de phase entre les segments du PCL et du HTNR. Les chaînes plus longues et plus flexibles du HTNR et leur non polarité sont responsables de la diminution des propriétés mécaniques et des températures de transition. Le materiae pane d'un comportement élastomère a un comportement plastique pour un rapport NCO:OH élevé (2,85 :1,00). Le dégréé de réticulation élevé a été retenu comme la cause pour laquelle il n'y avait pas de séparation de phase entre les segments souples et durs. La liaison hydrogène entre le diol PCL et le segment hard a généré des Tg élevées. Les spectres Raman ont montré la formation de la liaison uréthane du PU contenant différents diisocyanates. La synthèse de PU sans diisocyanate a été obtenue grâce à une réaction de polyaddition entre des carbonates cycliques téléchéliques dérivés du PCL et du caoutchouc naturel, et la 1,4-butylène diamine. Les structures contenant des carbonates cycliques ont été obtenues grâce à la modification des groupes OH sur le HTNR et le PCL à groupes carboxyle, utilisant l'anhydride succinique, et a la réaction successive avec le glycérol carbonate.