Polymeric micelles are formulated by self-assembly in an aqueous medium of block copolymers that spontaneously form a core–shell structure with a marked amphiphilic character. The differences between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments will directly influence the micellization process for forming this type of nanostructures. Copolymers are classified according to the number of monomers in their structure, such as di-, tri-, tetra-, and multiblock copolymers.

Polymeric micelles generally have a hydrophobic core with a hydrophilic coating. Most therapeutic cancer agents are hydrophobic and can therefore be encapsulated in the core. These copolymers can be modified unlimitedly, making them either more hydrophobic or hydrophilic, depending on the chemical properties of the drug under study. In this way, the stability and solubility of these drugs in biological systems can be improved [24]. Figure 2 shows the most frequently used polymers as a hydrophobic core.

The core is covered by a layer generally composed of low toxic hydrophilic polymers, stabilizing the system in an aqueous medium. The properties of the cover layer determine how efficiently micelles can circulate in the bloodstream. Figure 3 shows some of the most commonly used polymers [31].

The formation of micelles depends on three parameters: ionic strength, critical micellar temperature (CMT), and critical micellar concentration (CMC). Ionic strength is relevant in most cases when working with ionic surfactants (whose polar group has a charge). The critical micellar temperature (CMT) is nothing more than that temperature above which the formation of micelles is favored. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) is defined as the concentration of surfactants above which micelles are formed.

The formation of the micelles will depend on attractive forces that lead to the association of molecules and repulsive forces that control the growth of the nanostructure. CMC depends on the block copolymers’ hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance, the polymers’ molecular weight, and their chemical properties [36]. Micelle formation occurs by removing hydrophobic parts from the aqueous medium and re-establishing hydrogen bonds in water (Figure 4).

These bonds cause a decrease in the interfacial free energy of the system and a greater stabilization of the core. The micellization process is expressed in terms of free energy, CMT, and CMC (Equation (1)) as: where ΔG₀ is the standard free-energy change of micellization, R is the gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature of the system [38].

Using amphiphilic copolymers with a low CMC value ensures that polymeric micelles become more stable in blood than liposomes and other surface-active micelles. In some cases, the formation of polymeric micelles is temperature dependent. The temperature of the formulation must always be higher than the critical micellar temperature (CMT), which depends on the structures and properties of the copolymers [39]. The number of surfactant monomers that form a micelle is defined as the micellar association number, which is thermodynamically defined and varies from 10 to 200 monomers [40].

Five techniques are used to synthesize micelles. These are (1) direct solution, (2) oil in water emulsification, (3) thin-film hydration/solvent evaporation (4) dialysis, and (5) freeze-drying (Table 1). The applied technique depends on the solubility of the selected copolymer. The polymeric micelle is classified as regular or direct if the copolymer’s hydrophilic part is exposed on its surface. On the other hand, the micelles are called inverse when they do not have a copolymer with the hydrophilic part exposed on the surface [10].

The classification of micelles by their size has been the subject of debate. Some authors, such as Qi et al., support the argument that micelles smaller than 30–50 nm are classified as small, simple micelles. Micelles larger than 50 nm are classified as large micellar complexes. As in other nanostructured systems, small micelles generally experiment with a single-step aggregation process during their formation. However, the aggregation process is usually accompanied by several steps in the case of large and complex micelles [54]. The size of a specific micelle depends on the compacting of the copolymer chains. The lengths, the relationship between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks, and the molecular weight of the surfactants will determine the micellar association number and, therefore, the total size of the micelle.

Crothers et al. demonstrated experimentally how the values of the mass-average association numbers of the micelles (N_w) determine the shape of the micelle nucleus and its size. If N_w reaches high values, micelles tend to form a rod or worm shape [55]. The size of the charged micelles or ionic micelles can be modified by adding salts such as potassium bromide and sodium salicylate. These salts can neutralize the charges on the micellar surface, promoting a pronounced growth of the micelles [56]. The particle size has an important effect on the immune system. Small micelles have high blood circulation and do not cause many activations of the immune system. If their size is less than 20 nm, the renal system filters them rapidly out of circulation before they reach their goal. Generally, it is recommended that the hydrodynamic diameter be between 60 to 150 nm to obtain effective drug delivery and release [57].

Most micelles used in drug delivery are in the colloidal state and will therefore have a surface charge (positive, negative, or neutral). The surface charge of these nanocarriers can be changed by chemically modifying their surface with hydrophilic polymers, amino acids, or peptides. The dynamic light-scattering technique is used to determine the surface charge of micelles by Z-potential measurements. The higher the value of the modular Z-potential, the better the particles’ colloidal stability and, thus, a higher useful life [58]. Surface charge is undoubtedly important in determining protein adsorption and cellular interactions. In vitro studies show improved cellular uptake and circulation time for charged micelles. Neutral micelles have a longer circulation time but also greatly inhibit plasma proteins’ adsorption to the particle surface. Positively charged micelles have better interaction with cell membranes and internalization but could sometimes have a toxic effect on cells. The negative charge has reflected milder toxicity but decreases the cellular absorption of particles [59]. Positively charged nanostructured systems (<150 nm) tend to accumulate in the liver. However, if these systems are negatively charged, their circulation will increase and their accumulation will be more difficult. Particles greater than 150 nm are retained in the spleen [35].

Researchers must reach a consensus between cellular absorption, circulation times, and toxicity of micelles when their surface charge is modified. Kalinova et al. prepared new curcumin-loaded micelles with tunable surface charges. Copolymers were designed using poly(D,L-lactide) and poly((2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate). The charges varied from strongly positive to neutral as the concentration of hydrophilic polymer was increased. The release profiles show that the curcumin was released much faster for the neutral micelles, but these had lower colloidal stability than the positively charged micelles [60]. Xiao et al. prepared micelles loaded with paclitaxel through the self-assembly of new copolymers called telodendrimers, which are formed by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cholic dendritic acids (CA). The surface-charge effects were studied by conjugating anionic D-aspartic acids (D) or cationic D-lysines (K) at the ends of the PEG chain. Macrophages do not specifically take up micelles with a high negative and positive surface charge. However, micelles with less negative surface charge showed preferential uptake at the tumor site. The slightly negative charge was also able to prevent the rapid removal of micelles from the bloodstream [61].

The morphology of block copolymer micelles in dilute solution is generally spherical. The lower-energy spherical conformation can minimize the hydrophobic head’s exposure to the bulk aqueous phase. Different morphologies can be obtained by a remarkable increase in the concentration of surfactants, or the reaction temperature increases excessively. Sphere, rod, and star micelles have been accepted as a function of the length of the hydrophobic/hydrophilic blocks, the concentration of surfactants, and the solvent used.

Kimura et al. prepared different micelles with spherical and rod morphology by varying chain length and degree of polymerization (DP). Homopolymers with a lower degree of DP formed spherical micelles through the multi-chain assembly, whereas homopolymers that were longer than a threshold DP formed rod micelles [37]. Star-shaped micelles have gained particular interest because the polymeric arms provide a structure with excellent solubility and functionality to guide the drug into a tumor environment [39]. Kang et al. created a new pH-sensitive micellar system that reversibly changes its morphology from spherical to worms. The authors reacted cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (HB), and p-toluidine (MB) by a dynamic covalent-bonding hydrotropic mechanism. If the pH increased, the viscosity of the solution first decreased and then increased rapidly. The microscopic micellar aggregates changed from a spherical morphology to a worm morphology. This morphological change is reversible because when the pH of the medium decreases, the particles become spherical again [62].

Li Deng et al. synthesized an amphiphilic copolymer based on poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydrophilic P (2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate and oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate (MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA)). Micelles were thermo-magnetically sensitive, presenting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 43.5 °C with potential applications in magnetic hyperthermia and the release of drugs facilitated by magnetothermia [63]. Shang et al. prepared another system with a four-armed star morphology. Each star tip was covered by a folic-acid (FA) molecule, which gave the micellar structure greater internalization and more effective active targeting [64].