PH-and ionic-strength-induced structural changes in poly(acrylic acid)-lipid-based self-assembled materials

The effect of a polyanion introduced as a lipid conjugate (poly(acrylic acid)- dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, PAA-DMPE) on the structure of a self-assembled, biomembrane mimetic has been evaluated using synchrotron smallangle X-ray scattering (SAXS). At high grafting density (8-11 mol.%), the PAA chains were found to produce significant changes in structure in response to changes in pH and electrolyte composition. At low pH and in the absence of salt (NaCl), the neutralPAA chains adopt a coil conformational state that leads to the formation of a swollen lamellar structure. Upon the addition of salt at low to intermediate pH values, two lamellar phases, a collapsed and an expanded structure, coexist. Finally, when the polymer is fully ionized (at high pH), the extended conformation of the polymer generates a cubic phase. The results of this study contribute to an understanding of how polyelectrolytes may ultimately be harnessed for the preparation of selfassembling materials responsive to external stimuli.