Stimuli-responsive behavior of micelles prepared from a poly(vinyl alcohol)-block-poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) triblock terpolymer

Modern Trends in Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is a powerful and versatile technique for producing colloidal dispersions of block copolymer particles with desired morphologies. Currently, PISA can be carried out in various media, over a wide range of temperatures, and using different mechanisms. This method enables the production of biodegradable objects and particles with various functionalities and stimuli sensitivity. Consequently, PISA offers a broad spectrum of potential commercial applications. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of rational synthesis of block copolymer particles with diverse morphologies using various PISA techniques and mechanisms. The discussion begins with an examination of the main thermodynamic, kinetic, and structural aspects of block copolymer micellization, followed by an exploration of the key principles of PISA in the formation of gradient and block copolymers. The review also delves into the main mechanisms of PISA implementation and the principles governing particle morphology. Finally, the potential future developments in PISA are considered.

A drug-loaded amphiphilic polymer/poly(l-lactide) shape-memory system

Biodegradable shape-memory polymers (SMPs) which are functional materials with applicability for medicine devices are designed to acquire their therapeutically relevant shape and drug release after implantation. In the work, an amphiphilic polymer (PVAD) is synthesized by using polytetrahydrofuran (PTMG), vinyl acetate (VAc), acrylic acid (AA), tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄^vi) as raw materials. PVAD encapsulating hydrophilic drug as switching phase and poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) as fixing matrix construct an SM system with the characteristic of "reservoir-matrix" drug release. The shape recovery ratio (R_r) of medicated PVAD/PLLA reaches 99 % by heat-water stimulation. The effects of release temperature and SM on drug release are investigated. With the release temperature increasing, the medicated PVAD/PLLA accelerates drug release and shows burst release initially, while the drug release for the medicated PLLA changes slightly. The drug release rate goes up after 3 rounds of SM. The mechanism of SM system controlling drug release is put forward based on structural changes. The yield strength and elongation at break of medicated PVAD/PLLA are 29.8 MPa and 44.6 %, respectively. It opens up new perspectives for drug carrier matrices in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Attractive Soft Matter: Association Kinetics, Dynamics, and Pathway Complexity in Electrostatically Coassembled Micelles

Electrostatically coassembled micelles constitute a versatile class of functional soft materials with broad application potential as, for example, encapsulation agents for nanomedicine and nanoreactors for gels and inorganic particles. The nanostructures that form upon the mixing of selected oppositely charged (block co)polymers and other ionic species greatly depend on the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of the micellar building blocks, such as charge density, block length (ratio), and hydrophobicity. Nearly three decades of research since the introduction of this new class of polymer micelles shed significant light on the structure and properties of the steady-state association colloids. Dynamics and out-of-equilibrium processes, such as (dis)assembly pathways, exchange kinetics of the micellar constituents, and reaction-assembly networks, have steadily gained more attention. We foresee that the broadened scope will contribute toward the design and preparation of otherwise unattainable structures with emergent functionalities and properties. This Viewpoint focuses on current efforts to study such dynamic and out-of-equilibrium processes with greater spatiotemporal detail. We highlight different approaches and discuss how they reveal and rationalize similarities and differences in the behavior of mixed micelles prepared under various conditions and from different polymeric building blocks.

Self-assembly of dual-responsive amphiphilic POEGMA-b-P4VP-b-POEGMA triblock copolymers: effect of temperature, pH, and complexation with Cu2+

Amphiphilic and dual-responsive triblock copolymer POEGMA-b-P4VP-b-POEGMA synthesized by RAFT self-assemble into spherical or interconnected micelles depending on the external stimulus and their complexation with Cu2+ results in responsive nanogels.

Synthesis, aqueous solution behavior and self-assembly of a dual pH/thermo-responsive fluorinated diblock terpolymer

The synthesis of fluorinated dual-responsive block terpolymers via sequential reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is presented.

Preparation of grafting copolymer of acrylic acid onto loess surface and its adsorption behavior

Loess is a typical natural mineral particle distributed widely around the world, and it is inexpensive, readily accessible, and harmless to the environment. In this study, loess was modified by surface grafting copolymerization of functional monomers, such as acrylic acid, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linking agent, which afforded a novel loess-based grafting copolymer (LC-PAVP). After being characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, its adsorption capacity and mechanism of removing lead ions (Pb²⁺) were investigated. With the study of the optimal experimental conditions, it was demonstrated that the removal rate of Pb²⁺ by LC-PAVP can reach up to 99.49% in 60 min at room temperature. It was also found that the kinetic characteristics of the adsorption capacity due to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the thermodynamics conformed well with the Freundlich model. In summary, as a lost-cost and eco-friendly loess-based adsorbent, LC-PAVP is a good potential material for wastewater treatment.

Surface sulfonamide modification of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based block copolymer micelles to alter pH and temperature responsive properties for controlled intracellular uptake

Two different surface sulfonamide-functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based polymeric micelles were designed as pH-/temperature-responsive vehicles. Both sulfadimethoxine- and sulfamethazine-surface functionalized micelles were characterized to determine physicochemical properties, hydrodynamic diameters, zeta potentials, temperature-dependent size changes, and lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in both pH 7.4 and 6.8 solutions (simulating both physiological and mild low pH conditions), and tested in the incorporation of a proof-of-concept hydrophobic antiproliferative drug, paclitaxel. Cellular uptake studies were conducted using bovine carotid endothelial cells and fluorescently labeled micelles to evaluate if there was enhanced cellular uptake of the micelles in a low pH environment. Both variations of micelles showed enhanced intracellular uptake under mildly acidic (pH 6.8) conditions at temperatures slightly above their LCST and minimal uptake at physiological (pH 7.4) conditions. Due to the less negative zeta potential of the sulfamethazine-surface micelles compared to sulfadimethoxine-surface micelles, and the proximity of their LCST to physiological temperature (37°C), the sulfamethazine variation was deemed more amenable for clinically relevant temperature and pH-stimulated applications. Nevertheless, we believe both polymeric micelle variations have the capacity to be implemented as an intracellular drug or gene delivery system in response to mildly acidic conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1552-1560, 2018.

Polymeric micelles stabilized by polyethylenimine–copper (C2H5N–Cu) coordination for sustained drug release

Polymeric micelles stabilized by polyethylenimine–copper (C₂H₅N–Cu) coordination were described to improve the release property of water-insoluble anticancer drug.

Synthesis of polymer precursors of electroactive materials by SET-LRP

SET-LRP is used for the controlled copolymerisation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl methacrylate (TMPM) with 3-azidopropyl methacrylate (AzPMA), followed by the oxidation of TMPM to produce electroactive poly(TEMPO methacrylate) (PTMA).