Size and Morphology Control of Aggregates from Supramolecular Graft Copolymers Stabilized by Ionic Interaction

A series of SGPs composed of a PLL main and a PLGA side chain was synthesized with different DSs in a DMSO solvent. The addition of water induced the self-assembly of PLL/PLGA SPGs into spherical micelles. The size of the spherical micelles decreased with an increase in DS and core/shell structures, which was confirmed by XPS and zeta-potential measurements. The morphological transitions were under thermodynamic control when the solvents mixed. Consequently, further increases in water content caused the transition of the spherical micelles to vesicles, while the initial spherical micelles were reconstructed from vesicles when the DMSO was added. The content of water, the boundaries for the morphology transition, depended on the DS. pH and salt levels affected the stability of the aggregates.