Granted Patent B2

US 9,399,704 · App. 13/938,555 · Granted Jul 26, 2016

Abstract

Claims (36)

1. A method for self-assembly of a discrete nanostructure, the method comprising:

providing an aliphatic multi-block copolymer comprising at least one polyester block and at least one functionalized polycarbonate block, wherein the aliphatic multi-block copolymer is a polyester-polycarbonate-polyester tri-block copolymer having a compound of formula 1:

R 1 —O-A a B b C c —R 2

where:

A and C are polyester blocks;

B is the functionalized polycarbonate block;

a=20 to 40;

b=2 to 10;

c=20 to 40;

R 1 is a group formed from a catalyst initiator; and

R 2 is an end cap moiety formed from a cyclic monomer;

mixing the aliphatic multi-block copolymer, a deprotonating agent and water to form an aqueous mixture; and

maintaining the aqueous mixture at a reaction temperature suitable to result in self-assembly of the multi-block copolymer into nanoparticles.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polycarbonate block of the tri-block copolymer is functionalized with a carboxylic acid or ester thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polycarbonate block of the tri-block copolymer is functionalized with a carboxylic acid ester comprising a benzyl protecting group, the method further comprising removing the benzyl protecting group prior to or during self-assembly.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyester-polycarbonate-polyester tri-block copolymer comprises a first polyester block of polycaprolactone and a second polyester block of polylactide.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein A is a polyester formed by ring-opening polymerization of caprolactone monomers and C is a polyester formed by ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the polycarbonate block is functionalized with a plurality of carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester functionalities.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, and alkylaryl.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cyclic monomer is selected from the group consisting of cyclic anhydrides and aromatic monomers.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reaction temperature ranges from about 75° C. to about 100° C.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed without high shear mixing.

11. A method for self-assembly of a discrete nanostructure, the method comprising:

providing an aliphatic multi-block copolymer comprising at least one polyester block and at least one functionalized polycarbonate block;

mixing the aliphatic multi-block copolymer, a deprotonatinq agent and water to form an aqueous mixture; and

maintaining the aqueous mixture at a reaction temperature suitable to result in self-assembly of the multi-block copolymer into nanoparticles,

wherein the method is performed in the absence of a solvent other than water.

12. A method for self-assembly of a discrete nanostructure, the method comprising:

providing an aliphatic multi-block copolymer comprising at least one polyester block and at least one functionalized polycarbonate block;

mixing the aliphatic multi-block copolymer, a deprotonatinq agent and water to form an aqueous mixture; and

maintaining the aqueous mixture at a reaction temperature suitable to result in self-assembly of the multi-block copolymer into nanoparticles,

wherein the deprotonating agent is a bicarbonate salt.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the reaction temperature ranges from about 75° C. to about 100° C.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method is performed without high shear mixing.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reaction temperature ranges from about 75° C. to about 100° C.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the method is performed without high shear mixing.

Assignments (11)