Phase Transition and Micellization of Temperature Responsive Dextran-graft-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) Polymers

Phase behavior and micellization of dextran-graft-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) polymers in aqueous solution are investigated in this paper using DSC and AFM methods. It is found that with the increase of grafting (G%) of the copolymers the endothermic enthalpy during the phase transition increases significantly and the transition temperature decreases slightly. The phase transition behavior of the copolymers is scanning rate dependent. Micelles are formed whenever the solution temperature is raised above the LCST of the copolymers. It is proposed that by using this thermal responsive property of the copolymers, drugs could be incorporated into the micelles without employing any organic solvent.