Zwitterionic pH-Responsive Copolymer

Poly(MPC-co-MAA)

Also listed as Poly(MAA-co-MPC)  |  MPC monomer CAS 67881-98-5 · MAA monomer CAS 79-41-4

A random copolymer combining MPC’s cell-membrane-mimetic antifouling surface with methacrylic acid’s ionizable carboxyl groups. The result is a protein-resistant backbone that also switches charge and swelling behavior with pH — and gives you a -COOH handle for further bioconjugation.

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  • Configurable MPC:HEMA ratio, custom Mw available

MPC CAS 67881-98-5

MPC — MAA

Random copolymer, zwitterionic + anionic

Poly MPC- CO-MAA

Appearance: White to off-white powder
Character:Zwitterionic + pH-anionic
Reactive Group: -COOH (conjugation-ready)
Storage: -20 °C, keep dry

ISO 9001:2015

Manufactured under certified quality management

Custom MPC:MAA Ratio

Charge density tunable to your spec

Batch-Level COA

Spectral data and free-dye content per lot

Sample to Bulk

1 g R&D vials up to multi-gram supply

MPC Monomer CAS

67881-98-5

MAA Monomer CAS

79-41-4

Approx. pKa

4.5 – 5.0

Character

Zwitterionic + anionic

Package

1g / 10g / 100g

Two functions in one backbone

MPC and MAA each contribute something different — together they give you an antifouling surface that also responds to its environment.

MAA: pH-responsive switch

The carboxyl group ionizes above its pKa (~4.5–5), so the chain shifts from compact/neutral at low pH to charged/extended near physiological pH.

MPC: antifouling background

The phosphorylcholine head group binds a hydration layer that resists nonspecific protein and cell adhesion, the same mechanism as our pMPC and MPC-HEMA grades.

Ready conjugation site

The same -COOH group used for pH-response also gives you a standard EDC/NHS handle to attach ligands, peptides, or drug payloads.

Electrostatic complexation

Ionized carboxyl groups can form polyelectrolyte complexes with cationic drugs, peptides, or polymers for co-assembly and delivery.

Exact pKa and swelling behavior shift with MPC:MAA ratio — reported on the batch technical data sheet.

Choose your ratio by function

More MAA means stronger pH-sensitivity and more conjugation sites; more MPC means stronger baseline antifouling performance.

MAA-light

Antifouling-dominant

Mostly MPC character — strong baseline protein resistance with a modest pH/conjugation handle.

Balanced

Dual-function grade

Standard grade for most pH-responsive, conjugation-ready delivery applications.

MAA-rich

pH-response-dominant

Stronger charge switching and more -COOH sites, with reduced antifouling background.

Applications

pH-triggered drug delivery

Carboxyl ionization at target pH (e.g. tumor, endosomal, or GI environments) drives payload release or particle destabilization.

Conjugation-ready nanoparticles

Antifouling MPC background plus a -COOH handle for attaching targeting ligands, peptides, or fluorophores.

Mucoadhesive formulations

Ionized carboxyl groups hydrogen-bond with mucin, aiding retention on mucosal surfaces for oral or nasal delivery.

Smart hydrogels

pH-triggered swelling/deswelling behavior for stimuli-responsive drug-release matrices and sensors.

Layer-by-layer assembly

Anionic charge supports electrostatic layer-by-layer coating with cationic polymers for multilayer surface engineering.

Antifouling biosensor surfaces

Low nonspecific background from MPC plus a covalent attachment site from MAA for capture-molecule immobilization.

Enteric-adjacent coatings

pH-dependent solubility profile supports GI-targeted coating designs alongside established enteric polymers.

Ion/metal complexation

Carboxyl groups chelate select metal ions, useful for metal-ion sensing or capture research.

Data & safety documents

Batch-specific COAs confirm MPC:MAA ratio and molecular weight. Contact us for a particular lot number.

Safety Data Sheet

GHS-format · EN / ZH

Certificate of Analysis

Ratio + Mw confirmation

¹H-NMR Spectrum

Structure confirmation

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

No — as a random copolymer with a configurable monomer ratio, it doesn’t have one universal CAS Registry Number. It’s identified by catalog number, with the monomer CAS numbers (MPC 67881-98-5, MAA 79-41-4) provided for reference.

Both, in a sense — the MPC units are individually zwitterionic (net-neutral), while the MAA units carry an ionizable carboxyl group. Above the carboxyl’s pKa, the copolymer picks up net negative charge on top of its zwitterionic background, so its overall charge is pH-dependent.

HEMA is a neutral, hydroxyl-bearing co-monomer that mainly adds hydrogel-forming structure. MAA is ionizable, so this phosphorylcholine-methacrylic acid copolymer adds pH-responsive charge switching and a reactive -COOH conjugation site that HEMA doesn’t provide. Choose HEMA for a neutral structural hydrogel, MAA for pH-triggered or conjugation-ready applications.

Standard EDC/NHS coupling chemistry works directly on the carboxyl groups — activate with EDC and NHS (or Sulfo-NHS), then react with a primary amine on your ligand, peptide, or drug. We can also supply pre-activated NHS-ester derivatives on request.

The carboxyl groups have an approximate pKa of 4.5–5.0. Below that pH they’re largely protonated and the chain is more compact; above it they ionize and the chain becomes more charged and extended. Exact transition pH shifts slightly with MPC:MAA ratio and ionic strength.

Store at -20°C, sealed, and protected from moisture. In solution, buffer pH affects both antifouling performance and charge state, so we recommend confirming your working pH range before formulation.

Need a custom MPC:MAA ratio or an activated -COOH derivative?

Our technical sales team responds within one business day.

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