Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2013, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (05): 1028-1034.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201302271

• SOFT MATTER • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Self-Assembled HA/PDM Particles and Emulsification Properties

WANG Juan-Qin, BAI Hui-Yu, YI Cheng-Lin, LIU Na, LIU Xiao-Ya   

  1. Key Laboratory of Food Colloids and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu Province, P. R. China
  • Received:2012-11-21 Revised:2013-02-26 Published:2013-04-24
  • Supported by:

    The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20974041).

Abstract:

The anionic biomacromolecule, hyaluronic acid (HA), and cationic monomer, 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DM), were used to construct an opposing charge polymer/monomer complex. Positively charged poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDM) was prepared when DM monomers polymerized in aqueous solution. Self-assembly between PDM and HA was driven by electrostatic interaction, and HA/PDM complex colloid particles were formed in the aqueous medium. The HA/PDM complex structure was characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The self-assembly behavior between HA and PDM, and the influence of polymerization time on HA/PDM complex colloid particle size, were investigated by dynamic laser scattering (DLS). Morphologies of the colloid particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The influence of pH on the size and zeta potential of the colloid particles was investigated, and the emulsification of the colloid particles was preliminarily explored. The results showed that no HA/DM complex aggregates were formed before the polymerization of DM monomers. Spherical HA/PDM particles were spontaneously formed through electrostatic interaction between HA and PDM, coinciding with the gradual polymerization of DM. Particle sizes gradually decreased and stabilized with increasing polymerization time. The HA/PDM particles were pH sensitive and possessed improved emulsification properties compared with uncomplexed HA and PDM.

Key words: Hyaluronic acid, Poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], Electrostatic interaction, Self-assembly, Colloid particle, Emulsification