Aggregation of dextran hydrophobically modified by sterically-hindered phenols in aqueous solutions: Aggregates vs. single molecules

The hydrodynamic properties of dextrans hydrophobically modified by sterically-hindered phenols in aqueous solution were characterized by a combination of Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (Cryo-TEM), fluorescent spectroscopy, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). All solutions investigated contained aggregates the structure, shape, and critical aggregation concentration of which are influenced by the amount of the inserted phenol groups in the polymer matrix. We found that increasing of temperature enhances aggregation. It was established that the critical aggregation concentration could be well approximated by a logarithmic function of the substitution degree of the glycoside units. The results suggest that the proportion of aggregates is nevertheless negligible in comparison with the proportion of single molecules.