Surface Physicochemical Properties of Polyethylene Glycol-Containing Polymer Nano Systems

Abstract

In the past decades, many polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing polymers were developed and widely utilized to prepare functionalized nano delivery systems with hydrophilic shielding feature and high body fluid/environmental stability. Notably, some surface physicochemical properties of the PEG-containing polymers largely determined their solution properties and interactions with other biomolecules, which thus subsequently influenced their biological behaviors. In this paper, we summarized recent advances on the surface physicochemical properties of PEG-containing polymer nano systems and their impacts on self-assembly, solution stability, biomolecular interactions, as well as drug delivery. Future research outlooks in this area were also stated and discussed.