Block copolymers were prepared by the direct polycondensation of an aqueous lactic acid solution on monomethoxy or dihydroxyl poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in the absence of a catalyst. The resulting poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-PEG diblock and PLA-PEG-PLA triblock copolymers were characterized by various analytical techniques, including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), gel permeation chromatography, and 1H-NMR. The molecular structure between PLA-PEG and PLA-PEG-PLA could be distinguished after the calculation of the repeat unit masses and end-group masses through the MALDI-TOF MS spectra. Interestingly, both copolymers could serve as a hydrophilic emulsifier to stabilize the squalene/water interfaces and yield narrowly distributed oil-in-water nanoparticles. In contrast, the prepolymer PEG failed to stabilize the squalene/water interface under the same homogenization conditions. These features are of great interest for applications as bioactive agent delivery, especially for candidate vaccine antigens and lipophilic anticancer drugs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CITATION STYLE
Siao, S. Y., Lin, L. H., Chen, W. W., Huang, M. H., & Chong, P. (2009). Characterization and emulsifying properties of block copolymers prepared from lactic acid and poly(ethylene glycol). Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 114(1), 509–516. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.30497
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