Influence of the Surfactant Structure on Photoluminescent π-Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles: Interfacial Properties and Protein Binding

Abstract

π-Conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) are under investigation as photoluminescent agents for diagnostics and bioimaging. To determine whether the choice of surfactant can improve CPN properties and prevent protein adsorption, five nonionic polyethylene glycol alkyl ether surfactants were used to produce CPNs from three representative π-conjugated polymers. The surfactant structure did not influence size or yield, which was dependent on the nature of the conjugated polymer. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography, contact angle, quartz crystal microbalance, and neutron reflectivity studies were used to assess the affinity of the surfactant to the conjugated polymer surface and indicated that all surfactants were displaced by the addition of a model serum protein. In summary, CPN preparation methods which rely on surface coating of a conjugated polymer core with amphiphilic surfactants may produce systems with good yields and colloidal stability in vitro, but may be susceptible to significant surface alterations in physiological fluids.

Different PEG‐PLGA Matrices Influence In Vivo Optical/Photoacoustic Imaging Performance and Biodistribution of NIR‐Emitting π‐Conjugated Polymer Contrast Agents

“…In order to address this question without performing further in vivo studies, protein adsorption to the CPN surface was qualitatively assessed by SDS‐PAGE ( Figure A) and quantitative CPN uptake in a simplified murine monocyte‐derived cell line, J774A.1, was characterized (Figure 4B). In contrast to our study hypothesis, which predicted that PEG 2kDa ‐DPPE CPNs would show the highest amount of protein adsorption to the CPN surface, [ 39 ] these CPNs showed the lowest protein content within the so‐called “hard” corona. The hard protein corona is comprised of proteins that adsorb with high affinity, while the proteins of the soft corona (Figure S4.1–3A, Supporting Information) absorb and desorb more readily.…”

Preparation of Amine‐ and Disulfide‐Containing PAMAM‐Based Dendrons for the Functionalization of Hydroxylated Surfaces: XPS as Structural Sensor

“…Polymer surface analysis is relevant in many scientific fields since its composition and structure influence key properties like wettability, adhesion, biological activity and photoluminescence . Moreover, recent research efforts have been focused on the design of advanced polymeric materials with specific surface functionalities that could be used in several applications like environmental remediation, biomedicine and catalysis .…”

New insights into the solid–liquid interface exploiting neutron reflectivity

“…Substrates can be modified using thermal or chemical treatments for example, to create hydrophobic surfaces. This often involves octadecylsilane (OTS) coated silica, with some studies using fluorocarbon or hydrophobic polymer treatments e.g [10,11]. The reduction in the density of water at the hydrophobic interface continues to attract interest, along with studies of biomaterials on hydrophobic surfaces arising from challenges of protein storage and delivery and adsorption of surfactants e.g.…”