(650h) Formulation-Structure-Diffusion Relationships in Block Copolymer Organogels

Block copolymer organogels are soft materials primarily comprised of a nonaqueous, organic solvent and crosslinked by multiblock (>2) copolymers. The sensitivity of these gels’ mechanical and rheological properties to molecular and formulation parameters, as well as their facile process-ability, has made them of interest in cushioning, dampening, and viscosity modification technologies for the past few decades. Our current work shows that similar block copolymer organogels hold promise in informing future drug delivery media due to their aforementioned benefits along with the relationship between molecular/formulation parameters nanoscale structure and diffusion in organogels. This presentation will highlight the range of gel nanoscale structures achievable using readily available styrenic block copolymers and mineral oils (formulation-structure relations). Formulation approaches for assembly of nanocarriers within organogels – for the encapsulation and subsequent release of hydrophilic probes – will be also discussed. Next, nanostructure-diffusion relationships will be developed for select copolymer-oil-probe systems using a novel FTIR-based method for characterizing diffusion/release from organogels. Ultimately, the presented results will highlight the potential versatility of block copolymer organogel delivery media realizable through simple formulation strategies.