VISUALIZATION OF PEO-PBLA-PYRENE POLYMERIC MICELLES BY ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY

Purpose. To directly visualize and evaluate-the aqueous block copolyme ric micelles, poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(beta-benzyl L-aspartate) (PEO- PBLA) chemically conjugated with pyrene fluorescence molecule, by nano technology of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Methods. The block copoly mers' PEO-PBLA-Pyrene was first synthesized by reacting with pyrene su lfonyl chloride and PEO-PBLA in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution and wer e identified by GPC reflect index, UV and fluorescence detectors. The characterization of physical and chemical properties of PEO-PBLA-Pyren e polymeric micellar solution were examined by the dynamic light scatt ering (DLS) and critical micelles concentrations (CMC). In addition, t he nanotechnology of AFM was used to directly visualize the size and s hape of nanopolymeric micelles.Results. The pyrene fluorescence molecu le were successfully conjugated at the amino group of the end of PBLA chain by GPC with three different detectors. The size of the aqueous P EO-PBLA-Pyrene polymeric micelles was detected around 57 nm with unimo dal distribution by DLS measurement. As a result of this finding, the CMC test was also found out that the fluorescence intensity was increa sing around 0.01 similar to 0.05 mg/ml. Using AFM evaluation of polyme ric micellar solution, the morphology of aqueous PEO-PBLA-Pyrene polym eric micelles was observed on round shape and with the narrow dispersi ty of size range 50 similar to 80 nm. Conclusions. The presence of PEO -PBLA copolymers with pyrene in an aqueous system formed in a spherica l and nano range of polymeric micelles.