A general strategy for highly efficient nanoparticle dispersing agents based on hybrid dendritic linear block copolymers

Improved Chemical and Colloidal Stability of Gold Nanoparticles through Dendron Capping

Nanoparticle (NP) stability is imperative for commercialization of nanotechnology. In this study, we compare the stability of Au NPs with surfaces functionalized with oleylamine, dodecanethiol, and two dendritic ligands of different generations. Dendrimer ligands provide a significant increase in the chemical stability of Au NPs when analyzed by cyanide-induced NP decomposition as well as an investigation into their colloidal stability at ambient conditions. These results were supported by absorption measurements, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and small-angle transmission X-ray scattering and show that dendrimers play a key role in improving the chemical and colloidal stability of NPs.

Study of structure–performance relationships of polymeric dispersants on particle dispersion and stabilisation

Three different structural types of polymeric dispersants were synthesised, optimised and systematically compared over SiO₂ particle dispersion, developing structure–performance relationships.

In situ nanofabrication of hybrid PEG-dendritic-inorganic nanoparticles and preliminary evaluation of their biocompatibility

An in situ template fabrication of inorganic nanoparticles using carboxylated PEG-dendritic block copolymers of the GATG family is described as a function of the dendritic block generation, the metal (Au, CdSe) and metal molar ratio. The biocompatibility of the generated nanoparticles analysed in terms of their aggregation in physiological media, cytotoxicity and uptake by macrophages relates to the PEG density of the surface of the hybrids.

Hern F, Malkoch M, Rannard SP. ‘One-pot’ sequential deprotection/functionalisation of linear-dendritic hybrid polymers using a xanthate mediated thiol/Michael addition

Xanthate functional dendritic ATRP macroinitiators, synthesised via a new orthogonal strategy, have been used to form a library of linear-dendritic hybrids via one-pot, post polymerisation, deprotection/acrylate Michael addition.

Responsive linear-dendritic block copolymers

The combination of dendritic and linear polymeric structures in the same macromolecule opens up new possibilities for the design of block copolymers and for applications of functional polymers that have self-assembly properties. There are three main strategies for the synthesis of linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) and, in particular, the emergence of click chemistry has made the coupling of preformed blocks one of the most efficient ways of obtaining libraries of LDBCs. In these materials, the periphery of the dendron can be precisely functionalised to obtain functional LDBCs with self-assembly properties of interest in different technological areas. The incorporation of stimuli-responsive moieties gives rise to smart materials that are generally processed as self-assemblies of amphiphilic LDBCs with a morphology that can be controlled by an external stimulus. Particular emphasis is placed on light-responsive LDBCs. Furthermore, a brief review of the biomedical or materials science applications of LDBCs is presented.

Dendritic architectures based on bis-MPA: functional polymeric scaffolds for application-driven research

Dendritic polymers are highly branched, globular architectures with multiple representations of functional groups. These nanoscale organic frameworks continue to fascinate researchers worldwide and are today under intensive investigation in application-driven research. A large number of potential application areas have been suggested for dendritic polymers, including theranostics, biosensors, optics, adhesives and coatings. The transition from potential to real applications is strongly dictated by their commercial accessibility, scaffolding ability as well as biocompatibility. A dendritic family that fulfills these requirements is based on the 2,2-bismethylolpropionic acid (bis-MPA) monomer. This critical review is the first of its kind to cover most of the research activities generated on aliphatic polyester dendritic architectures based on bis-MPA. It is apparent that these scaffolds will continue to be in the forefront of cutting-edge research as their structural variations are endless including dendrons, dendrimers, hyperbranched polymers, dendritic-linear hybrids and their hybridization with inorganic surfaces.

Exhaustive glycosylation, PEGylation, and glutathionylation of a [G4]-ene(48) dendrimer via photoinduced thiol-ene coupling

We report in this paper the use of free-radical thiol-ene coupling (TEC) for the introduction of carbohydrate, poly(ethylene glycol), and peptide fragments at the periphery of an alkene functional dendrimer. Four different sugar thiols including glucose, mannose, lactose and sialic acid, two PEGylated thiols and the natural tripeptide glutathione were reacted with a fourth generation alkene functional dendrimer [G4]-ene(48) upon irradiation at λ(max) 365 nm. In all cases, the (1)H NMR spectra of the crude reaction mixture revealed the complete disappearance of alkene proton signals indicating the quantitative conversion of all 48 alkene groups of the dendrimer. With one exception only, all dendrimer conjugates were isolated in high yields (70-94%), validating the high efficiency of multiple TEC reactions on a single substrate. All isolated and purified compounds were analyzed by MALDI-TOF spectrometry and gave spectra consistent with the assigned structure.

Evaluation of multivalent, functional polymeric nanoparticles for imaging applications

A series of multivalent, functional polymer nanoparticles with diagnostic/imaging units and targeting ligands for molecular targeting were synthesized with the loading of the chain-end-functionalized GRGDS peptide targeting sequence (model system based on integrin α(v)β(3)) ranging from 0 to 50%. Accurate structural and functional group control in these systems was achieved through a modular approach involving the use of multiple functionalized macromonomer/monomer units combined with living free radical polymerization. In cellulo results show an increase in uptake in α(v)β(3) integrin-positive U87MG glioblastoma cells with increasing RGD loading and a possible upper limit on the effectiveness of the number of RGD peptides for targeting α(v)β(3) integrin. Significantly, this increased targeting efficiency is coupled with in vivo biodistribution results, which show decreased blood circulation and increased liver uptake with increasing RGD loading. The results demonstrate the importance of controlling ligand loading in order to achieve optimal performance for therapeutic and imaging applications for multivalent nanoparticle-based systems.

Tailored Composite Polymer-Metal Nanoparticles by Miniemulsion Polymerization and Thiol-ene Functionalization

A simple and modular synthetic approach, based on miniemulsion polymerization, has been developed for the fabrication of composite polymer-metal nanoparticle materials. The procedure produces well-defined composite structures consisting of gold, silver or MnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles (∼10 nm in diameter) encapsulated within larger spherical nanoparticles of poly(divinylbenzene) (∼100 nm in diameter). This methodology readily permits the incorporation of multiple metal domains into a single polymeric particle, while still preserving the useful optical and magnetic properties of the metal nanoparticles. The morphology of the composite particles is retained upon increasing the inorganic content, and also upon redispersion in organic solvents. Finally, the ability to tailor the surface chemistry of the composite nanoparticles and incorporate steric stabilizing groups using simple thiol-ene chemistry is demonstrated.

Living Radical Polymerization by the RAFT Process - A Second Update

This paper provides a second update to the review of reversible deactivation radical polymerization achieved with thiocarbonylthio compounds (ZC(=S)SR) by a mechanism of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) that was published in June 2005 (Aust. J. Chem. 2005, 58, 379–410). The first update was published in November 2006 (Aust. J. Chem. 2006, 59, 669–692). This review cites over 500 papers that appeared during the period mid-2006 to mid-2009 covering various aspects of RAFT polymerization ranging from reagent synthesis and properties, kinetics and mechanism of polymerization, novel polymer syntheses and a diverse range of applications. Significant developments have occurred, particularly in the areas of novel RAFT agents, techniques for end-group removal and transformation, the production of micro/nanoparticles and modified surfaces, and biopolymer conjugates both for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.