Synthesis and self-assembly of a triarm star-shaped rod-rod block copolymer

Reduction/temperature/pH multi-stimuli responsive core cross-linked polypeptide hybrid micelles for triggered and intracellular drug release

The high toxicity, poor stability, premature drug release, and lack of intracellular stimuli responsibility of current polymeric micelles still hinder them for potential clinical applications. To address these challenges, a novel type of multi-stimuli responsive, core cross-linked polypeptide hybrid micelles (CCMs) was developed for triggered anticancer drug delivery in tumor microenvironment. The CCMs was prepared via free radical copolymerization by using N,N'-methylene-bis-acylamide (BACy) as the cross-linking agent, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator, where poly (γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPPAM) as comonomers. The doxorubicin (DOX) was then introduced into the CCMs by hydrazone bond to prepare the drug-incorporated core cross-linked micelles (CCMs-DOX). By the experimental results, the CCMs showed reduction responsibility due to the degradable disulfide bond in the polymer network. The hydrazone bond can be broken under acidic condition causing a controllable drug release for CCMs-DOX. Compared to only 7.7% DOX release under pH 7.4 at 37°C, a much higher DOX release rate up to 85.3% was observed under 10 mM GSH (pH 5.0, 42°C). In vitro cell assays showed that the blank CCMs showed almost no toxicity against HUVEC cells while the CCMS-DOX exhibited significant cancer cell killing effect. These experimental results suggested that the prepared multi-stimuli responsive polymeric micelles could serve as a smart and promising drug delivery candidate for anti-cancer therapy.

Exploiting Host-Guest Interactions for the Synthesis of a Rod-Rod Block Copolymer with Crystalline and Liquid-Crystalline Blocks

By making use of the host-guest interactions between the host molecule tris-o-phenylenedioxycyclotriphosphazene (TPP) and the rod-coil block copolymer (BCP) poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(octyl 4'-octyloxy-2-vinylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate) (PEO-b-PVBP), the supramolecular rod-rod block copolymer P(EO@TPP)-b-PVBP was constructed. It consists of a crystalline segment P(EO@TPP) with a hexagonal crystalline structure and a columnar nematic liquid-crystalline segment (PVBP). As the PVBP segments arrange themselves as columnar nematic phases, the crystalline structure of the inclusion complex P(EO@TPP), which has a smaller diameter, is destroyed. The self-assembled nanostructure is thus clearly affected by the interplay between the two blocks. On the basis of wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, we conclude that the supramolecular rod-rod BCP can self-assemble into a cylinder-in-cylinder double hexagonal structure.

Synthesis and self-organization of azobenzene containing hemiphasmidic side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers with different spacer lengths

Hemiphasmidic side-chain liquid-crystal polymers form different columnar phases depending on the spacer lengthnand temperatureT.

A Solution-Processable (Tetraaniline-b-Polyethylene Glycol)3 Star-Shaped Rod-Coil Block Copolymer with Enhanced Electrochromic Properties

A novel electroactive star-shaped rod-coil copolymer composed of a benzene core and three symmetrically positioned tetraaniline-b-poly(ethylene glycol) arms, (TAni-b-PEG)3 rod-coil block copolymer, is synthesized successfully and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis, (1)H NMR, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Uniform and high-quality (TAni-b-PEG)3 thin films onto indium tin oxide-coated glass surface are fabricated simply from its DMF solution. Resulting (TAni-b-PEG)3 copolymer thin films possess excellent electrochromic properties with a high optical contrast of 73.3%, superb coloration efficiency of 318.5 cm(2) C(-1) at 750 nm. Very short switching times, that is, 2.11 s and 2.14 s for coloring and bleaching times, respectively, are observed as well. The mechanism of these impressive electrochromic properties of (TAni-b-PEG)3 thin films possessed is proposed based on the atomic force microscopy investigation, star-shaped molecular geometry, synergetic electronic and ionic conductivity and amphiphilic self-assembly feature of (TAni-b-PEG)3 copolymer, which can self-assemble to form cylinder pattern consisting of quick pathways for electronic charges and ionic species, respectively.

Effects of rigid cores and flexible tails on the phase behaviors of polynorbornene-based mesogen-jacketed liquid crystalline polymers

MJLCPs with a polynorbornene main chain and different side groups have been precisely synthesized for investigating the effect of side-chain structures on the liquid crystalline phase behaviors.

Self-assembly of block copolymers on lithographically patterned template with ordered posts

Dissipative particle dynamics simulations are employed to study the self-assembly of block copolymers on a template modified with ordered posts.