Poly(ether-ester-peptide) triblock copolymers: Synthesis and self-assembly behavior

Triblock/grafted poly(ether-ester-peptide) copolymers made or PEG, poly(globablide) and poly(L-phenylalanine) were synthesized by sequential ROP starting from diaminated PEG as first initiator. The aromatic functionality of L-phenylalanine inserted on the globalide units was utilized to impart the amphiphilicity required to drive their self-assembly in water and to provide aromaticity of potential value for the efficient loading of aromatic drugs. Depending of the method used for preparation, nanoparticles possessing diameters between 25 and 600 nm were obtained by self-assembling in aqueous medium.