The role of phospholipids in stabilizing and creating nanostructured polymers

POLY 237

Marek W Urban, Marek.Urban@usm.edu, Department of Polymer Science, University of Southern Mississippi, School of POlymers and High Performance Materials, Box 10076, Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Phospholipids (PLs) are bio-active dispersing agents capable of forming cellular membranes and may function as surfactants to lower interfacial surface tension in various organs. These entities are capable of self-assembling to form micelles, bi-layers, bi-celles, tubular, and other morphologies. This presentation will focus on recent advances that utilize PLs in stabilization of nanotubes and nanoparticles as well as developments of nano-structured polymers such as hollow and cocklebur particles as well as tubular morphologies. Since PLs may effectively lower interfacial surface tension, they also facilitate suitable conditions for stimuli-responsive stratification during film formation which may be controlled by pH, ionic strength, temperature, and enzyme concentrations.