Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2016, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 1072-1086.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201603071

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Aggregation Behavior of PEO-PPO Block Polyethers and Their Application as a Drug Carrier

Teng LIU1,*(),Hai-Yang WANG1,Gui-Ying XU2   

  1. 1 Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, P. R. China
    2 Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China
  • Received:2015-12-23 Published:2016-05-07
  • Contact: Teng LIU E-mail:liuteng823@163.com
  • Supported by:
    the Special Program for Major Research of the Science and Technology, China(2011ZX05024-004-08);Foundation for Outstanding Young Scientist in Shandong Province, China(BS2014YY005)

Abstract:

Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) block polyethers are typical nonionic polymeric surfactants, which allow for wide structural design, exhibit temperature-dependent micellization of the copolymers, and function in a variety of solvent systems. It greatly enriched the investigation of their aggregation behaviors in various solutions. In this paper, an overview based on our research work was provided about the basic properties of linear and branched PEO-PPO block polyethers in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the effects of additives including acid/base, inorganic salts, alcohols, surfactants and polymers on the aggregation behaviors of PEO-PPO polyethers are examined. PEO-PPO block polyethers have good biocompatibility. They can form micelles in aqueous solutions, with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona around the micelle interior. This micelle structure provides local hydrophobic microenvironments for hydrophobic drugs. Thus, the application of PEO-PPO polyethers in the field of drug delivery is presented; they can be the theoretical dosage support structure in future drug discovery research.

Key words: Pluronic, Tetronic, Branched block polyether, Aggregation behavior, Drug carrier