A novel route to synthesise polysaccharide diblock copolymers has been developed by scientists in France. 

Daniel Taton and co-workers at the University of Bordeaux have devised a unique method to synthesise hybrid block copolymers that are comprised of natural (dextran) and synthetic (polystyrene) polymer units. The synthetic block was grown via  atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) by chemically modifying the anomeric end group of the commercially available polysaccharide dextran with an ATRP-initiating moiety. 

This method offers scientists a potential access to a variety of diblock copolymers, as well as providing opportunities to synthesize copolymers that have biocompatible and water-soluble properties.

The self-assembly of these diblock copolymers in water was also investigated, and interestingly the preliminary data shows the formation of nano-objects with various morphologies in solution, including vesicles and micelles. 

Taton believes that the future of this work has several possibilities. 'The use of controlled ATRP for the construction of the synthetic block might be suitable for applications towards new macromolecular surfactants,' said Taton. 'Also it could be used in biomedical applications or in cosmetics.' 

Emma Shiells