Amphiphilic PEG-Based Ether-Anhydride Terpolymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Micellization

A series of amphiphilic poly(ether-anhydrides) terpolymers composed of sebacic acid, 1,3-bis(carboxyphenoxy) propane, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized via melt-condensation polymerization. The resultant terpolymers were characterized by H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1-NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, X-ray diffraction, polarization optical microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and water contact angle. Biodegradable micelles were prepared via a precipitation method through self-emulsification. The shape of these micelles was uniform and spheric according to the atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images. The dynamic light scattering measurements indicated that the diameters of micelles were typically in the range of 118-359 nm. The results displayed the PEG-based ether-anhydride terpolymers may be of great potential as nanoscaled carriers for drug delivery system. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 3576-3585, 2010