Polyzwitterions with LCST Side Chains: Tunable Self-Assembly

Kinetically Controlled Star Copolymer Self-Assembly for Rapid Fabrication of Nanoparticles with High Encapsulation Capacity

Rapid and scalable self-assembly of an amphiphilic 21-arm star copolymer, (polystyrene-block-polyethylene glycol)21 [(PS-b-PEG)21 ] in aqueous solution has been performed by reverse solvent exchange procedure. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) reveal the formation of nanoparticles with narrow size distribution. Further investigation indicates a kinetically controlled self-assembly mechanism of the copolymers, in which the star topology of the amphiphilic copolymer and deep quenching condition by reverse solvent exchange are key to accelerate intrachain contraction of the copolymer during phase separation. When interchain contraction dominant over interchain association, nanoparticles with low aggregation number could be formed. Thanks to the high hydrophobic contents of the (PS-b-PEG)21 polymers, the resulted nanoparticles could encapsulate a high capacity of hydrophobic cargo up to 19.84 %. The kinetically controlled star copolymer self-assembly process reported here provides a platform for the rapid and scalable fabrication of nanoparticle with high drug loading capacity (LC), which may find broad range of applications in, for example drug delivery, nanopesticide.

Dipole-driven interlude of mesomorphism in polyelectrolyte solutions

Uniformly charged polyelectrolyte molecules disperse uniformly in aqueous electrolyte solutions, due to electrostatic repulsion between them. In stark contrast to this well-established result of homogeneous polyelectrolyte solutions, we report a phenomenon where an aqueous solution of positively charged poly(L-lysine) (PLL) exhibits precipitation of similarly charged macromolecules at low ionic strength and a homogeneous solution at very high ionic strength, with a stable mesomorphic state of spherical aggregates as an interlude between these two limits. The precipitation at lower ionic strengths that is orthogonal to the standard polyelectrolyte behavior and the emergence of the mesomorphic state are triggered by the presence of a monovalent small organic anion, acrylate, in the electrolyte solution. Using light scattering, we find that the hydrodynamic radius R_h of isolated PLL chains shrinks upon a decrease in electrolyte (NaBr) concentration, exhibiting the "anti-polyelectrolyte effect." In addition, R_h of the aggregates in the mesomorphic state depends on PLL concentration c_p according to the scaling law, [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, at higher PLL concentration, the mesomorphic aggregates disassemble by a self-poisoning mechanism. We conjecture that all these findings can be attributed to both intra- and interchain dipolar interactions arising from the transformation of polycationic PLL into a physical polyzwitterionic PLL at higher concentrations of acrylate. The reported phenomenon of PLL exhibiting dipole-directed assembly of mesomorphic states and the anti-polyelectrolyte effect are of vital importance toward understanding more complex situations such as coacervation and formation of biomolecular condensates.

Modeling Polyzwitterion-Based Drug Delivery Platforms: A Perspective of the Current State-of-the-Art and Beyond

Drug delivery platforms are anticipated to have biocompatible and bioinert surfaces. PEGylation of drug carriers is the most approved method since it improves water solubility and colloid stability and decreases the drug vehicles’ interactions with blood components. Although this approach extends their biocompatibility, biorecognition mechanisms prevent them from biodistribution and thus efficient drug transfer. Recent studies have shown (poly)zwitterions to be alternatives for PEG with superior biocompatibility. (Poly)zwitterions are super hydrophilic, mainly stimuli-responsive, easy to functionalize and they display an extremely low protein adsorption and long biodistribution time. These unique characteristics make them already promising candidates as drug delivery carriers. Furthermore, since they have highly dense charged groups with opposite signs, (poly)zwitterions are intensely hydrated under physiological conditions. This exceptional hydration potential makes them ideal for the design of therapeutic vehicles with antifouling capability, i.e., preventing undesired sorption of biologics from the human body in the drug delivery vehicle. Therefore, (poly)zwitterionic materials have been broadly applied in stimuli-responsive “intelligent” drug delivery systems as well as tumor-targeting carriers because of their excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, insignificant immunogenicity, high stability, and long circulation time. To tailor (poly)zwitterionic drug vehicles, an interpretation of the structural and stimuli-responsive behavior of this type of polymer is essential. To this end, a direct study of molecular-level interactions, orientations, configurations, and physicochemical properties of (poly)zwitterions is required, which can be achieved via molecular modeling, which has become an influential tool for discovering new materials and understanding diverse material phenomena. As the essential bridge between science and engineering, molecular simulations enable the fundamental understanding of the encapsulation and release behavior of intelligent drug-loaded (poly)zwitterion nanoparticles and can help us to systematically design their next generations. When combined with experiments, modeling can make quantitative predictions. This perspective article aims to illustrate key recent developments in (poly)zwitterion-based drug delivery systems. We summarize how to use predictive multiscale molecular modeling techniques to successfully boost the development of intelligent multifunctional (poly)zwitterions-based systems.

Double thermoresponsive graft copolymers with different chain ends: feasible precursors for covalently crosslinked hydrogels

The tailored synthesis of graft copolymers from acrylic and methacrylic monomers can be accomplished solely through photoiniferter reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Samples with poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] (POEGMA) backbones synthesized under green light irradiation and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) side chains growing under blue light irradiation are presented. As monitored by temperature-dependent dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and temperature-variable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the architecture of the graft copolymers allows unique two-step lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transitions in aqueous solutions. Meanwhile, different end-groups introduced by the corresponding RAFT agents affect the detailed thermoresponsive behavior remarkably. This RAFT strategy shows more advantages when the multiple trithiocarbonate groups are converted into thiol reactive pyridyl disulfide (PDS) groups via a facile post-polymerization modification. The PDS-terminated graft copolymer can then be regarded as a usable precursor for various applications, such as thermoresponsive hydrogels.

Double hydrophilic copolymers - synthetic approaches, architectural variety, and current application fields

Solubility and functionality of polymeric materials are essential properties determining their role in any application. In that regard, double hydrophilic copolymers (DHC) are typically constructed from two chemically dissimilar but water-soluble building blocks. During the past decades, these materials have been intensely developed and utilised as, e.g., matrices for the design of multifunctional hybrid materials, in drug carriers and gene delivery, as nanoreactors, or as sensors. This is predominantly due to almost unlimited possibilities to precisely tune DHC composition and topology, their solution behavior, e.g., stimuli-response, and potential interactions with small molecules, ions and (nanoparticle) surfaces. In this contribution we want to highlight that this class of polymers has experienced tremendous progress regarding synthesis, architectural variety, and the possibility to combine response to different stimuli within one material. Especially the implementation of DHCs as versatile building blocks in hybrid materials expanded the range of water-based applications during the last two decades, which now includes also photocatalysis, sensing, and 3D inkjet printing of hydrogels, definitely going beyond already well-established utilisation in biomedicine or as templates.

Polymeric micelles-based nanoagents enable phototriggering combined chemotherapy and photothermal therapy with high sensitivity

A new type of polymeric nanomicelles-based nanoagent (denoted as PT@MFH hereafter) capable of highly sensitively releasing chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel (PTX) upon triggering of near-infrared laser was developed by encapsulating PTX...

Recent advances in the self-assembly of sparsely grafted amphiphilic copolymers in aqueous solution

This review describes the self-assembly of sparsely grafted amphiphilic copolymers and highlights the effects of structural factors and solvents on their self-assembly behaviour.

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Thermoresponsive Biohybrid Graft Copolymers Based on a Combination of Passerini Multicomponent Reaction and Molecular Recognition

Amphiphilic graft copolymers exhibit fascinating self-assembly behaviors. Their molecular architectures significantly affect the morphology and functionality of the self-assemblies. Considering the potential application of amphiphilic graft copolymers in the fabrication of nanocarriers, it is essential to synthesize well-defined graft copolymers with desired functional groups. Herein, the Passerini reaction and molecular recognition are introduced to the synthesis of functional thermoresponsive graft copolymers. A bifunctional monomer 2-((adamantan-1-yl)amino)-1-(4-((2-bromo-2-methylpropanoyl)oxy)phenyl)-2-oxoethyl methacrylate (ABMA) with a bromo group for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and an adamantyl group for molecular recognition is synthesized through the Passerini reaction. The graft copolymers are prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of ABMA and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) followed by RAFT end group removal and ATRP of di(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMA) initiated by the ABMA units. The graft copolymer P(OEGMA-co-ABMA)-g-PDEGMA can be functionalized with β-cyclodextrin modified peptides, affording a thermoresponsive biohybrid graft copolymer. At a temperature above its lower critical solution temperature, the biohybrid graft copolymer self-assembles into peptide-modified polymersomes.

Polyoxometalate-like structure of new potassium triphenylsiloxides: [K6(OSiPh3)6(C3H7OH)(H2O)]·2C6H5CH3 and [K6(OSiPh3)6(H2O)2]

The synthesis and structural characterization of two new potassium triphenylsiloxides, namely, aqua(propan-2-ol)hexakis(triphenylsilanolato)hexapotassium toluene disolvate, [K₆(C₁₈H₁₅OSi)₆(C₃H₈O)(H₂O)]·2C₇H₈, and diaquahexakis(triphenylsilanolato)hexapotassium, [K₆(C₁₈H₁₅OSi)₆(H₂O)₂], are reported. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1. The structure in each case resembles an alkali metal polyoxometalate-like structure, in which electrostatic interactions are observed in the metal-oxygen core. Furthermore, both compounds also resemble a reverse micelles-like architecture, in which the hydrophilic core is enclosed in a hydrophobic shell. The cores of the complexes are flanked by hydrophobic aromatic rings derived from Ph₃SiO^- anions, where intramolecular π-interactions between the aromatic rings and potassium cations stabilize the cores of the crystals. Moreover, in both structures, the presence of hydrogen bonds is observed; until now, no crystal structures have been described containing K atoms and triphenylsiloxide molecules in which the presence of hydrogen bonds was confirmed. Thus, these coordination entities could be considered as attractive reagents for further synthetic protocols towards heterometallic complexes.

Macroporous Polyzwitterionic Gels As Versatile Intermediates for the Fixation and Release of Anions

A new stable and functional polyzwitterion poly[1-(carboxymethyl)-4-methacrylamidopyridin-1-ium] was synthesized. The zwitterionic polymer shows its isoelectric point at a pH of 4.2, bidirectional pH responsiveness, and formation of dendritic fractal self-aggregated structures. Using this as a common intermediate, a simple, direct, and scalable single-step protocol was established to introduce various elementary anions like NO₃^-, HSO₄^-, H₂PO₄^-, F^-, Cl^-, Br^-, I^-, CH₃COO^-, and HCOO^- in their salt forms by reaction with the corresponding acids. FESEM studies on cross-linked polymeric hydrogels established the macroporous nature of these materials with their pore size in the range of 10-15 μm. Bidirectional swelling behavior was observed in these hydrogels from gel swelling kinetics and pH studies. Anion release studies in deionized water and buffer solutions showed ∼82 and ∼95% cumulative release for nitrate and phosphate anions, respectively, in 72 h. Our studies suggest that multifunctional polyzwitterionic gels are promising intermediates in the fixation and release of anions like nitrate and phosphate with potential applications in agriculture and healthcare.

A crystallization driven thermoresponsive transition in a liquid crystalline polymer

A new thermoresponsive transition in a liquid crystalline polymer is found and the reason leading to the thermoresponse is discussed.