Development and Characterization of Biocompatible Fullerene [C₆₀]/Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Nanocomposite

We report a supramolecular process for the synthesis of well-defined fullerene (C₆₀)/polymer colloid nanocomposites in an aqueous solution via complex formation. A biocompatible triblock poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-polyethylene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine), P4VP₈-b-PEO₁₀₅-b-P4VP₈, was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The block copolymer formed complexes with C₆₀ in toluene and resulted in fullerene assembly in cluster form. Nanocomposite dispersion in an aqueous solution could be obtained using an aged solution of the polymer/C₆₀/toluene solution by a solvent evaporation technique. The UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the complex formation of fullerene with the polymer which plays a significant role in controlling the PDI and size of polymer/C₆₀ micelles in the toluene solution. The particle size and morphology of P4VP₈-b-PEO₁₀₅-b-P4VP₈ and P4VP₈-b-PEO₁₀₅-b-P4VP₈/C₆₀ mixture were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In a cytotoxicity test, both pure polymer and the resulting polymer/C₆₀ composite in water showed more than 90% cell viability at 1 mg/mL concentration.