Polymersomes with Salt-Induced Leaflet Rearrangement

Polymersomes, composed of two leaflets of amphiphilic diblock copolymers, become unstable when presented with external stimuli such as osmotic perturbation and invasive ions. Here, using a homebuilt hydrogel-based microfluidic device, we quantify their shape transformations in response to fine-tuning of the local ionic environment. We demonstrate a model system involving PBD-PEO (polybutadiene-co-polyethylene oxide). Inward budding of these polymersomes reflects difference of surface area between inner and outer leaflets rather than the conventional osmotic imbalance.