@article {17472, title = {Interpolyelectrolyte complexes based on hyaluronic acid-block-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly-L-lysine}, journal = {Soft Matter}, volume = {9}, year = {2013}, month = {2013-03-12 00:00:00}, pages = {4297}, publisher = {RSC}, abstract = {

The preparation of spherical, nanosized interpolyelectrolyte complexes by the interaction of hyaluronic acid-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (HA-b-PEG) with poly-L-lysine (PLL) at a stoichiometric charge-to-charge ratio is described. The complexation was studied by dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy for HA-b-PEG with different lengths of the HA and PEG blocks. A minimal molecular weight of the HA block (ca.\ 9 kDa) is necessary for efficient complexation, while a minimal molecular weight of the PEG block (ca.\ 5 kDa) is needed to prevent macroscopic aggregation. The formed nanoassemblies have hydrodynamic radii ranging from 45 to 150 nm with very low dispersity indices (D.I. = 0.02{\textendash}0.05). They appear as soft objects with a nanogel structure and pronouncedly swell on addition of NaCl. The increasing ionic strength leads to disruption of the complexes above\ ca.\ 120{\textendash}160 mM of NaCl. Decreasing the ionic strength by dialysis reforms the nanogels, demonstrating the reversibility of nanogel formation. Crosslinking with carbodiimide leads to nanoassemblies with a very well defined structure and high stability against ionic strength.

}, keywords = {Interpolyelectrolyte complex, Polysaccharide}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3SM27549C}, author = {Novoa-Carballal, R. and Dmitry V., P. and Muller, A. H. E.} }