The effect of PEO length on the self-assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)−tetrapeptide conjugates prepared by “click” chemistry

Nadia Tzokova, Christine M. Fernyhough, Michael F. Butler, Steve P. Armes, Anthony J. Ryan, Paul Topham, Dave J. Adams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Two series of poly(ethylene oxide)-tetrapeptide conjugates have been prepared using a “Click” reaction between an alkyne-modified tetra(phenylalanine) or tetra(valine) and various azide-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) oligomers. Three different PEO precursors were used to prepare these conjugates, with number-average molecular weights of 350, 1200, and 1800 Da. Assembly of mPEO-F4-OEt and mPEO-V4-OEt conjugates was achieved by dialysis of a THF solution of the conjugate against water or by direct aqueous rehydration of a thin film. The PEO length has a profound effect on the outcome of the self-assembly, with the F4 conjugates giving rise to nanotubes, fibers, and wormlike micelles, respectively, as the length of the PEO block is increased. For the V4 series, the propensity to form ß-sheets dominates, and hence, the self-assembled structures are reminiscent of those formed by peptides alone, even at the longer PEO lengths. Thus, this systematic study demonstrates that the self-assembly of PEO-peptides depends on both the nature of the peptides and the relative PEO block length.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11082-11089
Number of pages8
JournalLangmuir
Volume25
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Aug 2009

Keywords

  • chemistry
  • 'click' chemistry
  • poly(ethylene oxide)
  • PEO

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