Spontaneous Formation of Giant Polymer Vesicles through a Nucleation and Growth Pathway

The non-membrane-closing formation of polymer vesicles was demonstrated by the self-assembly of an amphiphilic hydrogen-bonded interpolymer complex of HPC and PAA. A dynamic-formation process that involved a nucleation and growth pathway was observed experimentally that was different from the theoretical predictions of both the membrane-closing model and the nucleation and growth model. A series of intermediate states between the solid spheres and vesicles were visually captured by the addition of an inorganic salt followed by dilution.