Polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene oxide) biocompatible micelles as dynamic light scattering drug delivery nanocarriers: Dynamic light scattering and fluorescence experiments

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence experiments were carried out to study PCL44-b-PEO114 biocompatible micelles used as nanocarriers in drug delivery. Micelles prepared by a simple procedure (THF removal under nitrogen flow) exhibited a narrow size distribution with an average diameter of 100nm. For micelles containing a hydrophobic model compound (pyrene) within the PCL core, a smaller average micellar size of 80 nm was observed, with a simultaneous broadening in the size distribution profile. in parallel to DLS results, fluorescence experiments showed evidence of pyrene encapsulation, and that the onset of the micellization process occurs at approximately 10/90 (v/v) THF/water mixtures in the case of PCL44-b-PEO114 polymer.