Loading Dependent Structural Model of Polymeric Micelles by Solid-State NMR

Physically loaded polymeric micelles - from bulk properties to a molecular level understanding: In this work, solid-state NMR complemented by PXRD and quantum chemical calculations is used to learn about the short range order and structural arrangement in polymeric micelles formed by amphiphilic triblock copolymers. From changes in chemical shift and line widths, we could observe that at higher loadings, not just the micellar core but also the hydrophilic corona is involved in coordination of poorly soluble guest molecules, which can explain the poorer dissolution properties. This can serve as a platform for the future, targeted modification of such polymers.