Static and dynamic investigations of poly(aspartic acid) and Pluronic F127 complex prepared by self-assembling in aqueous solution

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 359; pp. 486 - 495
• Main Authors: Nita, Loredana E., Chiriac, Aurica P., Bercea, Maria, Nistor, Manuela T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.12.2015
• Subjects: Aqueous solution; Aqueous solutions; Dynamic tests; Dynamics; PAS; Pluronic F127; Poly(aspartic acid); Polymers; Self assembly; Self-assembling; Zeta potential; Pluronic F127; Poly(aspartic acid); Aqueous solution; Self-assembling
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.10.116

•Evidencing of self-assembling between two polymers with biomedical applications: poly(aspartic acid) and Pluronic F127.•The viscometric parameters were evaluated by using a new approach.•Establishing the ratio between the two polymers for which the interpolymeric complex appears. The present investigation is focused on evaluation of self-assembling ability in aqueous solutions of two water soluble polymers: poly(aspartic acid) (PAS) and Pluronic F127 (PL). The intermolecular complexes, realized between polyacid and neutral copolymer surfactant in different ratios, have been studied by combining various characterization techniques as rheology, DLS, spectroscopy, microscopy, chemical imaging, and zeta potential determination, measurements performed in static and/or dynamic conditions. In static conditions, when the equilibrium state between PAS/PL polymeric pair was reached, and depending on the polymers mixture composition, and of experimental rheological conditions, positive or negative deviations from the additive rule are registered. Conformational changes of the macromolecular chains and correspondingly physical interactions are generated between PL and PAS for self-assembly and the formation of interpolymer complex as suprastructure with micellar configuration. The phenomenon was better evidenced in case of 1/1wt ratio between the two polymers. In dynamic conditions of determination, during “in situ” evaluation of the hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and conductivity, when the equilibrium state is not reached and as result either the intermolecular bonds are not achieved, the self-assembling process is not so obvious evidenced.