(193t) Effect of Encapsulated Drug Molecules on Block Copolymer Micelle Self-Assembly

The self-assembly of block copolymers into micelles can be tuned for an array of applications, including drug delivery, personal care products, and nanoreactors. The structural properties of two classes of biocompatible block copolymer micelles were investigated: that containing poly(ethylene oxide-b-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-PCL) diblock copolymers, and that containing Pluronic poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymers, assembled in deuterated water (D₂O). The structure and dynamics of both series of micelles were investigated with small-angle neutron scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance. Model drug compounds were explored to examine the effect of the size and polarity of the drug on the micelle self-assembly, over a range of temperatures. Less polar and more hydrophobic drugs were found to more greatly disrupt the block copolymer self-assembly, and micelle size parameters were correlated to the cargo physical parameters.