Alpha, Omega end group functionalization of RAFT polymers based on pentafluorophenyl esters and methane thiosulfonates

While polymers with different functional groups along the backbone have intensively been investigated, there is still a challenge in orthogonal functionalization of the end groups. Such well-defined systems are interesting for the preparation of multiblock (co) polymers or polymer networks, for bio-conjugation or as model systems for examining the end group separation of isolated polymer chains. rnHere, Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization was employed as method to investigate improved techniques for an a, w end group functionalization. RAFT produces polymers terminated in an R group and a dithioester-Z group, where R and Z stem from a suitable chain transfer agent (CTA). rnFor alpha end group functionalization, a CTA with an activated pentafluorophenyl (PFP) ester R group was designed and used for the polymerization of various methacrylate monomers, N-isopropylacrylamide and styrene yielding polymers with a PFP ester as a end group. This allowed the introduction of inert propyl amides, of light responsive diazo compounds, of the dyes NBD, Texas Red, or Oregon Green, of the hormone thyroxin and allowed the formation of multiblocks or peptide conjugates. rnFor w end group functionalization, problems of other techniques were overcome through an aminolysis of the dithioester in the presence of a functional methane thiosulfonate (MTS), yielding functional disulfides. These disulfides were stable under ambient conditions and could be cleaved on demand. Using MTS chemistry, terminal methyl disulfides (enabling self-assembly on planar gold surfaces and ligand substitution on gold and semiconductor nanoparticles), butynyl disulfide end groups (allowing the “clicking” of the polymers onto azide functionalized surfaces and the selective removal through reduction), the bio-target biotin, and the fluorescent dye Texas Red were introduced into polymers. rnThe alpha PFP amidation could be performed under mild conditions, without substantial loss of DTE. This way, a step-wise synthesis produced polymers with two functional end groups in very high yields. rnAs examples, polymers with an anchor group for both gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and CdSe / ZnS semi-conductor nanoparticles (QD) and with a fluorescent dye end group were synthesized. They allowed a NP decoration and enabled an energy transfer from QD to dye or from dye to AuNP. Water-soluble polymers were prepared with two different bio-target end groups, each capable of selectively recognizing and binding a certain protein. The immobilization of protein-polymer-protein layers on planar gold surfaces was monitored by surface plasmon resonance.Introducing two different fluorescent dye end groups enabled an energy transfer between the end groups of isolated polymer chains and created the possibility to monitor the behavior of single polymer chains during a chain collapse. rnThe versatility of the synthetic technique is very promising for applications beyond this work.

Diblock copolymer - nanocrystal hybrids for optoelectronic applications

Small, smaller, nano - it is a milestone in the development of new materials and technologies. Nanoscience is now present in our daily lives: in the car industry with self-cleaning surfaces, in medicine with cancer therapies, even our clothes and cosmetics utilize nanoparticles. The number and variety of applications has been growing fast in recent years, and the possibilities seem almost infinite. Nanoparticles made of inorganic materials have found applications in new electronic technologies, and organic nanomaterials have been added to resins to produce very strong but light weight materials.rnThis work deals with the combination of organic and inorganic materials for the fabrication of new, functional hybrid systems. For that purpose, block copolymers were made with a long, solubility-enhancing and semiconducting block, and a short anchor block. They were synthesized by either RAFT polymerization or Siegrist polycondensation. For the second block, an active ester was grafted on and subsequently reacted with the anchor molecules in a polymer analogue reaction. The resulting block copolymers had different properties; poly(para-phenylene vinylene) showed self-assembly in organic solvents, which resulted in gelling of the solution. The fibers from a diluted solution were visible through microscopy. When polymer chains were attached to TiO2 nanorods, the hybrids could be integrated into polymer fibers. A light-induced charge separation was demonstrated through KPFM. The polymer charged positively and the charge could travel along the fibers for several hundred nanometers. Polymers made via RAFT polymerization were based on poly(vinyltriphenylamine). Ruthenium chromophores which carried anchor groups were attached to the second block. These novel block copolymers were then attached to ZnO nanorods. A light-induced charge separation was also demonstrated in this system. The ability to disperse inorganic nanoparticles within the film is another advantage of these block copolymers. This was shown with the example of CdSe tetrapods. Poly(vinyltriphenylamine dimer) with disulfide anchor groups was attached to CdSe tetrapods. These four-armed nanoparticles are supposed to show very high charge transport. A polymer without anchor groups was also mixed with the tetrapods in order to investigate the influence of the anchor groups. It was shown that without them no good films were formed and the tetrapods aggregated heavily in the samples. Additionally, a large difference in the film qualities and the aggregation of the tetrapods was found in the sample of the polymer with anchor groups, dependent on the tetrapod arm length and the polymer loading. These systems are very interesting for hybrid solar cells. This work also illustrates similar systems with quantum dots. The influence of the energy level of the polymer on the hole transport from the polymer to the quantum dots, as well as on the efficiency of QLEDs was studied. For this purpose two different polymers were synthesized with different HOMO levels. It was clearly shown that the polymer with the adjusted lower HOMO level had a better hole injection to the quantum dots, which resulted in more efficient light emitting diodes.rnThese systems all have in common the fact that novel, and specially designed polymers, were attached to inorganic nanocrystals. All of these hybrid materials show fascinating properties, and are helpful in the research of new materials for optoelectronic applications.

On-surface chemical reactions on an insulating substrate

Diese Arbeit beschreibt zum ersten Mal die kovalente Verknüpfung organischer Moleküle auf einer Isolatoroberfläche, motiviert im Hinblick auf die Nutzung der Synthesemethode für die molekulare Elektronik und verwandte Anwendungen. Durch die Verwendung der Nichtkontakt-Rasterkraftmikroskopie und der Kelvinprobe-Mikroskopie bei Raumtemperatur wurden grundlegende molekulare Prozesse der Wechselwirkungen zwischen Molekülen und der Calcit(10.4) Oberfläche sowie die chemische Reaktivität der Moleküle auf der Oberfläche analysiert. Das Zusammenspiel zwischen intermolekularen und Molekül-Oberfläche Wechselwirkungen zeigt sich für Biphenyl-4,4'-dicarbonsäure (BPDCA) durch die Koexistenz zweier unterschiedlicher molekularer Strukturen, die einen Einblick in die treibenden Kräfte der molekularen Selbstorganisation bieten. Die sehr ausgeprägte Reihenstruktur basiert auf der optimalen geometrischen Struktur der BPDCA Moleküle zu den Abmessungen des Substrats, während die zweite Struktur durch Wasserstoffbrücken zwischen den Molekülen gekennzeichnet ist. Der Deprotonierungsvorgang von 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoesäure (DHBA)-Molekülen auf Calcit wird bei Zimmertemperatur gezeigt. Zwei Phasen werden beobachtet, die nach Aufbringen der Moleküle koexistieren. Mit der Zeit geht eine bulk-ähnliche Phase in eine stabile, dicht gepackte Phase über. Der Übergang wird durch Betrachtung des Protonierungszustands der Moleküle erklärt. Die bulk-ähnliche Phase benötigt Wasserstoffbrückbindungen zur Strukturbildung. Werden die Moleküle deprotoniert, so wird die resultierende dicht gepackte Phase durch die elektrostatische Wechselwirkung der deprotonierten Carboxylatgruppen mit den Oberflächen-Calciumkationen stabilisiert. 4-Iodbenzoesäure (IBA)-Moleküle bilden auf Calcit nur Inseln an Stufenkanten, was auf die schwache Molekül-Oberflächen-Wechselwirkung zurückzuführen ist. Für einen stärkeren Einfluss des Substrats durchlaufen die Moleküle einen kontrollierten Übergangsschritt vom protonierten zum deprotonierten Zustand. Im deprotonierten Zustand nehmen die Moleküle eine wohldefinierte Adsorptionsposition auf dem Substrat ein. Die deprotonierte Säuregruppe wird ausgenutzt, um die Desorption der halogensubstituierten Benzoesäure-Moleküle bei der thermischer Aktivierung für die Vernetzungsreaktion zu vermeiden. Darüber hinaus wird die Carboxylatgruppe als starker Elektronendonor verwendet um die Phenyl-Halogen-Bindung zu schwächen und somit die homolytische Spaltung dieser Bindung auch bei moderaten Temperaturen zu ermöglichen. Diesem Konzept folgend ist die erste erfolgreiche kovalente Verknüpfung von 2,5-Diiod-benzoesäure, 2,5-Dichlorbenzoesäure, 3,5-Diiod Salicylsäure und 4-Iod-benzoesäure zu durchkonjugierten molekularen Drähten, Zick-Zack-Strukturen sowie Dimere gezeigt durch Ausnutzen von unterschiedlichen Substitutionsposition sowie Ändern der Anzahl der substituierten Halogenatome. Aufbauend auf diesem Erfolg, wird eine zweistufige Vernetzungsreaktion vorgestellt. Zum Induzieren der ortsspezifischen und sequentiellen kovalenten Verknüpfung wird ein Ausgangsmolekül gewählt, das sowohl eine Bromphenyl als auch eine Chlorphenyl Gruppe mit unterschiedlichen Dissoziationsenergien für die homolytische Spaltung besitzt. Die Reaktionsstellen und sequentielle Reihenfolge für die Reaktion sind somit in der molekularen Struktur einkodiert und bisher unerreichte Reaktionspfade können mithilfe der kovalente Verknüpfung organischer Moleküle auf einer Isolatoroberfläche beschritten werden.

Smart magnetic dispersions - from switchable release to well-defined hybrid nanofibers

The synthesis, characterization and application of aqueous dispersions of superparamagnetic/polymer hybrid nanoparticles and capsules is described. Implementation of the superparamagnetic moiety into the polymer matrix enables a response of the nanomaterials towards an external magnetic field. Application of the external field is used for two main purposes: i) As heat generator, when an alternating magnetic field is applied. ii) As structuring agent to self-assemble superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the external field.rnIn the first part, superparamagnetic nanoparticles were used as heat generators in order to achieve a magnetic field induced release of an active compound from nanocontainers. To achieve such a release in remote-controlled fashion, the encapsulation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles into polymer nanocapsules was combined with the integration of a thermolabile compound into the shell of the nanocontainers. The magnetic nanoparticles acted as generators for heat, which decomposed the thermolabile compound. Pores were created in the degrading shell and an active substance was released.rn Additionally, the self-assembly of polymer nanoparticles, which were labeled with a superparamagnetic moiety as structuring agent, could be demonstrated. A combination of a magnetic field induced self-assembly and a sintering of neighboring particles upon an increase in temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer was used to form stable architectures. Various structures with tunable periodicity could be obtained ranging from smooth linear nanofibers to zigzag fibers. Besides solely creating linear architectures, the frugal process additionally allowed the creation of arrangements in analogy to more complex polymer architectures: By the introduction of defined junction points, the generation of branched structures and networks was demonstrated. Additionally, by tailoring the interaction of differently sized particles, the preparation of nanoparticle arrangements in statistical or block copolymer fashion was shown. Moreover, a reversible linear assembly and linkage of the nanoparticles was demonstrated following a lock/unlock mechanism. Therefore, the particles were locked in their linear assembly by a stable iron(III) hydroxamato-complex and unlocked by addition of a reducing agent and formation of a less stable iron(II)-complex.Further, in various projects with collaboration partners, nanoparticles and nanocapsules were labeled with a superparamagnetic moiety for their use as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging or as magnetically separable dispersions.

Reaction Control in Quiescent Systems of Free-Radical Retrograde-Precipitation Polymerization

Free-radical retrograde-precipitation polymerization, FRRPP in short, is a novel polymerization process discovered by Dr. Gerard Caneba in the late 1980s. The current study is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the reaction mechanism of the FRRPP and its thermodynamically-driven features that are predominant in controlling the chain reaction. A previously developed mathematical model to represent free radical polymerization kinetics was used to simulate a classic bulk polymerization system from the literature. Unlike other existing models, such a sparse-matrix-based representation allows one to explicitly accommodate the chain length dependent kinetic parameters. Extrapolating from the past results, mixing was experimentally shown to be exerting a significant influence on reaction control in FRRPP systems. Mixing alone drives the otherwise severely diffusion-controlled reaction propagation in phase-separated polymer domains. Therefore, in a quiescent system, in the absence of mixing, it is possible to retard the growth of phase-separated domains, thus producing isolated polymer nanoparticles (globules). Such a diffusion-controlled, self-limiting phenomenon of chain growth was also observed using time-resolved small angle x-ray scattering studies of reaction kinetics in quiescent systems of FRRPP. Combining the concept of self-limiting chain growth in quiescent FRRPP systems with spatioselective reaction initiation of lithography, microgel structures were synthesized in a single step, without the use of molds or additives. Hard x-rays from the bending magnet radiation of a synchrotron were used as an initiation source, instead of the more statistally-oriented chemical initiators. Such a spatially-defined reaction was shown to be self-limiting to the irradiated regions following a polymerization-induced self-assembly phenomenon. The pattern transfer aspects of this technique were, therefore, studied in the FRRP polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and methacrylic acid (MAA), a thermoreversible and ionic hydrogel, respectively. Reaction temperature increases the contrast between the exposed and unexposed zones of the formed microgels, while the irradiation dose is directly proportional to the extent of phase separation. The response of Poly (NIPAm) microgels prepared from the technique described in this study was also characterized by small angle neutron scattering.

Two-dimensional assembly and local redox-activity of molecular hybrid structures in an electrochemical environment

The self-assembly and redox-properties of two viologen derivatives, N-hexyl-N-(6-thiohexyl)-4,4-bipyridinium bromide (HS-6V6-H) and N,N-bis(6-thiohexyl)-4,4-bipyridinium bromide (HS-6V6-SH), immobilized on Au(111)-(1x1) macro-electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy (SEIRAS) and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Depending on the assembly conditions one could distinguish three different types of adlayers for both viologens: a low coverage disordered and an ordered striped phase of flat oriented molecules as well as a high coverage monolayer composed of tilted viologen moieties. Both molecules, HS-6V6-H and HS-6V6-SH, were successfully immobilized on Au(poly) nano-electrodes, which gave a well-defined redox-response in the lower pA–current range. An in situ STM configuration was employed to explore electron transport properties of single molecule junctions Au(T)|HS-6V6-SH(HS-6V6-H)|Au(S). The observed sigmoidal potential dependence, measured at variable substrate potential ES and at constant bias voltage (ET–ES), was attributed to electronic structure changes of the viologen moiety during the one-electron reduction/re-oxidation process V2+ V+. Tunneling experiments in asymmetric, STM-based junctions Au(T)-S-6V6-H|Au(S) revealed current (iT)–voltage (ET) curves with a maximum located at the equilibrium potential of the redox-process V2+ V+. The experimental iT–ET characteristics of the HS-6V6-H–modified tunneling junction were tentatively attributed to a sequential two-step electron transfer mechanism.

Affinity retardation chromatography: characterization of the method and its application. The description of low affinity laminin self-interactions.

Affinity retardation chromatography (ARC), a method for the examination of low-affinity interactions, is mathematically described in order to characterize the method itself and to estimate binding coefficients of self-assembly domains of basement membrane protein laminin. Affinity retardation was determined by comparing the elutions on a "binding" and on a "nonreacting" column. It depends on the binding coefficient, the concentrations of both ligands, and the nonbinding elution position. Half maximal binding of the NH2-terminal domain of laminin B1-short arm to the A- and/or B2-short arms was estimated to occur at 10-17 microM for noncooperative and at < or = 3 microM for cooperative binding. A model of the laminin polymerization, postulating two levels of cooperative binding behavior, is described.

From supramolecular sheets to fibers and back: establishing the critical parameters that govern the morphology of pyrene-based self-assembled materials

The precise arraying of functional entities in morphologically well-defined shapes remains one of the key challenges in the processing of organic molecules1. Among various π-conjugated species, pyrene exhibits a set of unique properties, which make it an attractive compound for the utilization in materials science2. In this contribution we report on properties of self-assembled structures prepared from amphiphilic pyrene trimers (Py3) consisting of phosphodiester-linked pyrenes. Depending on the geometry of a pyrene core substitution (1.6-, 1.8-, or 2.7- type, see Scheme), the thermally-controlled self-assembly allows the preparation of supramolecular architectures of different morphologies in a bottom-up approach: two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets3 are formed in case of 1.6- and 2.7-substitution4 whereas one-dimensional (1D) fibers are built from 1.8- substituted isomers. The morphologies of the assemblies are established by AFM and TEM, and the results are further correlated with spectroscopic and scattering data. Two-dimensional assemblies consist of an inner layer of hydrophobic pyrenes, sandwiched between a net of phosphates. Due to the repulsion of the negative charges, the 2D assemblies exist mostly as free-standing sheets. An internal alignment of pyrenes leads to strong exciton coupling with an unprecedented observation (simultaneous development of J- and H-bands from two different electronic transitions). Despite the similarity in spectroscopic properties, the structural parameters of the 2D aggregates drastically depend on the preparation procedure. Under certain conditions extra-large sheets (thickness of 2 nm, aspect ratio area/thickness ~107) in aqueous solution are formed4B. Finally, one-dimensional assemblies are formed as micrometer-long and nanometer-thick fibers. Both, planar and linear structures are intriguing objects for the creation of conductive nanowires that may find interest for applications in supramolecular electronics.

From supramolecular sheets to fibers and back: establishing the critical parameters that govern the morphology of pyrene-based self-assembled materials

The precise arraying of functional entities in morphologically well-defined shapes remains one of the key challenges in the processing of organic molecules1. Among various π-conjugated species, pyrene exhibits a set of unique properties, which make it an attractive compound for the utilization in materials science2. In this contribution we report on properties of self-assembled structures prepared from amphiphilic pyrene trimers (Py3) consisting of phosphodiester-linked pyrenes. Depending on the geometry of a pyrene core substitution (1.6-, 1.8-, or 2.7- type, see Scheme), the thermally-controlled self-assembly allows the preparation of supramolecular architectures of different morphologies in a bottom-up approach: two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets3 are formed in case of 1.6- and 2.7-substitution4 whereas one-dimensional (1D) fibers are built from 1.8- substituted isomers. The morphologies of the assemblies are established by AFM and TEM, and the results are further correlated with spectroscopic and scattering data. Two-dimensional assemblies consist of an inner layer of hydrophobic pyrenes, sandwiched between a net of phosphates. Due to the repulsion of the negative charges, the 2D assemblies exist mostly as free-standing sheets. An internal alignment of pyrenes leads to strong exciton coupling with an unprecedented observation (simultaneous development of J- and H-bands from two different electronic transitions). Despite the similarity in spectroscopic properties, the structural parameters of the 2D aggregates drastically depend on the preparation procedure. Under certain conditions extra-large sheets (thickness of 2 nm, aspect ratio area/thickness ~107) in aqueous solution are formed4B. Finally, one-dimensional assemblies are formed as micrometer-long and nanometer-thick fibers. Both, planar and linear structures are intriguing objects for the creation of conductive nanowires that may find interest for applications in supramolecular electronics.

Assembly of τ protein into Alzheimer paired helical filaments depends on a local sequence motif (306VQIVYK311) forming β structure

We have searched for a minimal interaction motif in τ protein that supports the aggregation into Alzheimer-like paired helical filaments. Digestion of the repeat domain with different proteases yields a GluC-induced fragment comprising 43 residues (termed PHF43), which represents the third repeat of τ plus some flanking residues. This fragment self assembles readily into thin filaments without a paired helical appearance, but these filaments are highly competent to nucleate bona fide PHFs from full-length τ. Probing the interactions of PHF43 with overlapping peptides derived from the full τ sequence yields a minimal hexapeptide interaction motif of 306VQIVYK311 at the beginning of the third internal repeat. This motif coincides with the highest predicted β-structure potential in τ. CD and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows that PHF43 acquires pronounced β structure in conditions of self assembly. Point mutations in the hexapeptide region by proline-scanning mutagenesis prevent the aggregation. The data indicate that PHF assembly is initiated by a short fragment containing the minimal interaction motif forming a local β structure embedded in a largely random-coil protein.

Self-assembled monolayers from a designed combinatorial library of de novo β-sheet proteins

A variety of naturally occurring biomaterials owe their unusual structural and mechanical properties to layers of β-sheet proteins laminated between layers of inorganic mineral. To explore the possibility of fabricating novel two-dimensional protein layers, we studied the self-assembly properties of de novo proteins from a designed combinatorial library. Each protein in the library has a distinct 63 amino acid sequence, yet they all share an identical binary pattern of polar and nonpolar residues, which was designed to favor the formation of six-stranded amphiphilic β-sheets. Characterization of proteins isolated from the library demonstrates that (i) they self assemble into monolayers at an air/water interface; (ii) the monolayers are dominated by β-sheet secondary structure, as shown by both circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopies; and (iii) the measured areas (500- 600 Å2) of individual protein molecules in the monolayers match those expected for proteins folded into amphiphilic β-sheets. The finding that similar structures are formed by distinctly different protein sequences suggests that assembly into β-sheet monolayers can be encoded by binary patterning of polar and nonpolar amino acids. Moreover, because the designed binary pattern is compatible with a wide variety of different sequences, it may be possible to fabricate β-sheet monolayers by using combinations of side chains that are explicitly designed to favor particular applications of novel biomaterials.

Nucleator-dependent intercellular assembly of adhesive curli organelles in Escherichia coli.

Bacterial adhesion to other bacteria, to eukaryotic cells, and to extracellular matrix proteins is frequently mediated by cell surface-associated polymers (fimbriae) consisting of one or more subunit proteins. We have found that polymerization of curlin to fimbriae-like structures (curli) on the surface of Escherichia coli markedly differs from the prevailing model for fimbrial assembly in that it occurs extracellularly through a self-assembly process depending on a specific nucleator protein. The cell surface-bound nucleator primes the polymerization of curlin secreted by the nucleator-presenting cell or by adjacent cells. The addition of monomers to the growing filament seems to be driven by mass action and guided only by the diffusion gradient between the source of secreted monomer and the surface of monomer condensation.

Kinetics of self-assembling microtubules: an "inverse problem" in biochemistry.

Experimental time series for a nonequilibrium reaction may in some cases contain sufficient data to determine a unique kinetic model for the reaction by a systematic mathematical analysis. As an example, a kinetic model for the self-assembly of microtubules is derived here from turbidity time series for solutions in which microtubules assemble. The model may be seen as a generalization of Oosawa's classical nucleation-polymerization model. It reproduces the experimental data with a four-stage nucleation process and a critical nucleus of 15 monomers.

Molecular organization of histidine-tagged biomolecules at self-assembled lipid interfaces using a novel class of chelator lipids.

In molecular biology, the expression of fusion proteins is a very useful and well-established technique for the identification and one-step purification of gene products. Even a short fused sequence of five or six histidines enables proteins to bind to an immobilized metal ion chelate complex. By synthesis of a class of chelator lipids, we have transferred this approach to the concept of self-assembly. The specific interaction and lateral organization of a fluorescent fusion molecule containing a C-terminal oligohistidine sequence was studied by film balance techniques in combination with epifluorescence microscopy. Due to the phase behavior of the various lipid mixtures used, the chelator lipids can be laterally structured, generating two-dimensional arrays of histidine-tagged biomolecules. Because of the large variety of fusion proteins already available, this concept represents a powerful technique for orientation and organization of proteins at lipid interfaces with applications in biosensing, biofunctionalization of nanostructured interfaces, two-dimensional crystallization, and studies of lipid-anchored proteins.

Nanopartículas lipídicas sólidas e vesículas cataniônicas contendo ftalocianina de cloro alumínio aplicadas nos processos fotodinâmicos

O trabalho apresentado foi realizado em duas etapas independentes e baseou-se no estudo de diferentes sistemas nanométricos para viabilizar a aplicação da ftalocianina de cloro alumínio (ClAlPc) na terapia fotodinâmica (TFD) para o tratamento do câncer de pele do tipo melanoma. O fármaco fotossensibilizante (FS) utilizado apresenta propriedades físico-químicas que lhe permitem exercer sua atividade fotodinâmica com excelência, sem a interferência do cromóforo endógeno melanina existente nas células melanocíticas. Para driblar sua elevada hidrofobicidade, ClAlPc foi encapsulada em sistemas nanométricos para administração em meio fisiológico. Inicialmente nanopartículas lipídicas sólidas (NLS) foram desenvolvidas por emulsificação direta, após um estudo de elaboração do diagrama de fases. O compritol foi o lipídio sólido escolhido para compor as NLS, com diferentes concentrações de ClAlPc. Todas as formulações desenvolvidas foram devidamente caracterizadas, com tamanho médio entre 100 e 200 nm, baixa polidispersão, potencial zeta adequadamente negativo (~|30| mV), drug loading de ClAlPc entre 76-94% (com pequena redução após 24 meses) e alta eficiência de encapsulação (E.E.). A morfologia arredondada das nanopartículas foi confirmada por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e de força atômica. A estabilidade das NLS foi de 24 meses. A avaliação da cristalinidade do lipídio revelou a integração da ClAlPc à matriz lipídica da NLS, presença de estruturas polimórficas e grau de cristalinidade adequado, sem alterações após 24 meses. Nos estudos de difusão in vitro, observou-se que ftalocianina encapsulada nas NLS acumulam-se preferencialmente na epiderme e derme do que no estrato córneo, sem traços de permeação do ativo. Foi confirmado o caráter biocompatível das NLS sobre fibroblastos NIH-3T3. A ftalocianina encapsulada nas NLS não foi tóxica na linhagem de melanoma B16-F10 na ausência de luz, porém, apresentou excelente efeito fototóxico (0,75 ?g mL-1 de ClAlPc nanoencapsulada e irradiação entre 0,5 e 2,0 J cm-2), com redução da viabilidade celular de 87%. O segundo sistema de veiculação estudado foram as vesículas cataniônicas (VesCat), que se formam espontaneamente em água com o tensoativo TriCat 12. A obtenção das vesículas contendo ClAlPc envolve uma etapa adicional, para remoção de solvente orgânico, que foi aprimorada, reduzindo o tempo de produção em 55%. As VesCat/ClAlPc obtidas mantiveram suas propriedades físico-químicas e morfologia arredondada (confirmada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura), drug loading de 47% e alta E.E. Os resultados comprovaram que a aplicação desses dois sistemas nanométricos é altamente eficiente para aplicação da TFD no tratamento do câncer de pele do tipo melanoma ou outras doenças cutâneas, apresentando características favoráveis para avanços nos estudos de fase clínica e pré-clínica.