"Understanding The Self-Assembly Of Ionic Liquid-Coated Polymeric Nanop" by George R. Taylor
 

Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Eden Tanner

Second Advisor

Thomas Werfel

Third Advisor

Cory Varner

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as promising biomaterials for enhancing drug delivery by functionalizing polymer nanoparticles (NPs). Despite the biocompatibility and biofunctionalization they confer upon the NPs, little is understood regarding the degree that non-covalent interactions, particularly hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions, govern IL-NP supramolecular assembly. Herein, we use salt (0-1 M sodium sulfate) and acid (0.25 M hydrochloric acid at pH 4.8) titrations to disrupt IL-functionalized nanoassembly for PLGA NPs during synthesis. Through quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), we demonstrate that the driving force of IL-NP assembly is dependent on the ionic liquid. For both choline trans-2-hexenoate (CA2HA 1:1) and choline heptanoate (CAHPA 1:1), IL assembly is driven by both electrostatics and hydrogen bonding. While both forces are important factors in IL self-assembly onto the particle, CA2HA leans to be more impacted by electrostatic interactions and CAHPA leans to be more impacted by hydrogen bonding. Fundamentally understanding the driving forces behind these ILs will allow us to create finely tunable drug delivery vehicles.

Available for download on Monday, May 08, 2028

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