Polymerizable ion-pair amphiphile that has a polymerizable group at cationic ammonium chain

Polymerizable ion-pair amphiphile (PIPA) that has a polymerizable lipoyl group on cationic ammonium chain was prepared to compare the advantage of ion-pair form with the conventional polymerizable ammonium surfactant in the points of stability of vesicle and permeation properties. PIPA introduced in this paper, compared to previously reported one with polymerizable group on anionic chain side, showed similar vesicle stability in addition to high encapsulation efficiency and resistance to disruption by SDS or Triton X-100. Reasons for such high encapsulation and low permeability of the PIPA vesicle are investigated and the possible applications are briefly discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.