The use of 3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone-based (co)polymers in industrial and biomedical applications

Date
2018-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of incorporating 3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone-based (3M2P)-based (co)polymers for use in industrial applications, e.g. kinetic hydrate inhibitors and in biomedical applications, e.g. bioencapsulation of exosomes. For use as kinetic hydrate inhibitors, poly(3M2P)’s hydrophobicity was increased by expanding the ring-size, copolymerization with a hydrophobic co-monomer and N-alkylation of 3M2P. Low molecular weights and adequate disperties were attainable by using the dead end polymerization technique. Thermal phase transition temperatures of the more hydrophobic analogues were obtained via UV/Vis spectroscopy. The thermal sensitivity of a copolymer’s phase transition temperature in the presence of the Hofmeister series, was also evaluated. Double hydrophilic block copolymers, consisting of poly(N-methyl-3M2P)-block-poly(HPMAm-oligolactates) were synthesized with an azide-functional reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT)-agent and the polymerizations were shown to be controlled, with relatively low dispersities. The thermally-triggered self-assembly of the block copolymer morphologies were investigated via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and it was proved that a block copolymer with a hydrophilic mass fraction (f) of 13 % was most likely to form vesicular morphologies. The thermoresponsive aggregation was evaluated with variable 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), TEM, UV/vis spectroscopy and confocal fluorescent microscopy (CFM). At a concentration of 1 mg/mL, the phase transition temperature was found to be 36.5 °C, displaying cloud point temperatures very close to physiological temperatures. Furthermore, the α-functionalities of the block copolymer was decorated with a targeting ligand and fluorescent dye via a copper-free “click” reaction. A combination of the conjugates and unfunctionalized block copolymers were found to be successful in the encapsulation of exosomes via a thermally-triggered self-assembly technique. The block copolymer appears to be a promising candidate for further investigation as a general bioencapsulation material.
AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van die studie was om die uitvoerbaarheid en toepaslikheid van die grootskaalse vervaardiging en toevoeging van 3-metileen-2-pyrolidoon-gebasseerde ((3M2P)-gebaseerde) (ko)-polimere vir kommersiële toepassing, soos met kinetiese hidro-inhibeerders, en vir bio-mediese toepassing, soos met die bio-omsluiting van eksosome, na te vors. Ten einde die gebruik saam met hidro-inhibeerders te ondersoek, is die hidrofobiese eienskappe van (3M2P)-gebasseerde (ko)-polimere verhoog deur die ringgrootte te vergroot, die ko-polimerisasie met ‘n hidrofobiese ko-monomeer, asook die N-alkalisasie van 3M2P teweeg te bring. Verlaagde molekulêre massas en voldoende molekulêre massaverspreidings is verkry deur van die “dooie-ent” polimerisasie tegniek gebruik te maak. Termiese fase oorgangs-temperature van die meer hidrofobiese analoë is verkry deur van UV/Vis spektroskopie gebruik te maak. Die termiese vatbaarbeid van ‘n ko-polimeer se fase oorgangs-temperatuur in die teenwoordigheid van die Hofmeister-reeks, is ook ontleed. Dubbele hidrofiliese blok ko-polimere, bestaande uit poli(N-metiel-3M2P)-blok-poli(HPMAm-oligolaktate), is deur middel van asied-funksionele omkeerbare byvoeging-fragmentasie kettingoordrag (RAFT)-agente gesintetiseer. Die polimerisasies het resultate opgelewer wat bewys het dat dit onder beheerde omstandighede uitgevoer is en het ook terselfde tyd lae molekulêre massaverspreidings getoon. Die termies-aangedrewe self-kombinering van die blok ko-polimeer se morfologie is ondersoek met behulp van oordragselektron-mikroskopie (TEM). Hierdeur is bewys dat blok ko-polimere met ‘n hidrofiliese massa breuk (f) van 13% die grootste moontlikheid vir die vorming van vesikulêre morfologie te bied. Die termo-aktiewe kombinering is deur middel van ‘n veranderlike 1H kern-magnetiese resonansie (NMR) spektroskopie, dinamiese ligopbreking (DLS), TEM, UV/Vis spektroskopie en konvokale fluoresserende mikroskopie (CFM) ondersoek. Die fase oordragstemperatuur is bepaal as 36.5 °C by ‘n konsentrasie van 1 mg/mL, baie naby aan fisiologiese temperature. Verder is die α-funksionaliteit van die blok ko-polimeer toegerus met ‘n teikenligand en fluoresserende merker met behulp van ‘n koperlose “kliek”-reaksie. Daar is bevind dat ‘n kombinasie van die bogenoemde blok ko-polimere die eksosome suksesvol omsluit het, wanneer daar van ‘n termies-geaktiveerde self-kombinerende tegniek gebruik gemaak word. Die blok ko-polimeer blyk belowende moontlikhede in te hou vir toekomstige gebruik in algemene bio-omsluitingsstowwe.
Description
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2018
Keywords
Polymers -- Industrial applications, Chemical inhibitors, Polymerization, UCTD
Citation