Stabilization of Polymersome Vesicles by an Interpenetrating Polymer Network.

Vesicles from Pluronic L121 (PEO5−PPO68−PEO5) triblock copolymers were stabilized by an interpenetrating polymer network from pentaerythritol tetraacrylate by UV or thermal initiator induced radical polymerization. Fluorescence labeling, atomic force microscopy, and electron microscopy studies were used to study the morphology of the particles and showed that stable vesicles are formed. The block copolymers are noncovalently trapped in the interpenetrating polyacrylate network. The stabilized vesicles retain their size for more than 1 month at room temperature. Upon cooling, the vesicles reversibly lose block copolymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]