Antifreeze properties of polyglycidol block copolymers

In this paper, we describe a new biomimetic approach to the synthesis of block copolymers with antifreeze properties. Our approach focuses on the design of block copolymers that mimic the structure and functionality of antifreeze proteins. Our approach focuses on the design of block copolymers that mimic the structure and functionality of antifreeze proteins. Hyperbranched copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide)-polyethyleneimine block and polyglycidol side chains were synthesized and their antifreeze properties were studied. It is shown that these block copolymers can lower the freezing point of water up to 0.8 degrees C at a relatively low concentration (1 mg.mL(-1)). From DSC measurements it is proven that polyglycidol block copolymers slow down the crystallization kinetics of ice and lead to changes in the ice crystal morphology, as observed by cryo-optical microscopy.