Studies on core-shell structural nano-micelles based on star block copolymer of poly(lactide) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)

Inorganic/polymer hybrid star-shaped block copolymer nano-micelles were synthesized. In the synthetic route, multi-hydroxyl polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane(POSS-(OH)(32)) was employed as the starting molecule to initiate ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide. 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate was found to polymerize at the end of polylactic acid chains, following mechanism of atom transfer radical polymerization. The well-defined star block copolymer core-shell nano-micelles were finally obtained. The structures of the copolymer and the micelles were characterized extensively. The micelles exhibited a regular spherical shape with an average diameter of 170 nm which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic laser scattering. The sizes of both the core and the shell were controlled by adjusting the feed ratios during the syntheses. The micelles demonstrated pH- and temperature-sensitive behaviors.