Preparation of dextran-1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) copolymer and its micellar characteristics

Abstract A novel amphiphilic copolymer based on dextran and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE) was synthesized and characterized by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and 31 P NMR spectra. Their molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weights range from 13 kDa to 21 kDa in the molar ratio of 3:1–10:1 (DPPE/activated dextran). Its micellar characteristics in aqueous solution were investigated by fluorescence technique, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that dextran/DPPE copolymer could self-assembly in water into spherical micelles with the diameters ranged from 30 to 60 nm in the absence of organic solvent or surfactant.