1
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Shah MZ, Rotich NC, Okorafor EA, Oestreicher Z, Demidovich G, Eapen J, Henoch Q, Kilbey J, Prempeh G, Bates A, Page RC, Lorigan GA, Konkolewicz D. Vinyl Ether Maleic Acid Polymers: Tunable Polymers for Self-Assembled Lipid Nanodiscs and Environments for Membrane Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:6611-6623. [PMID: 39283997 PMCID: PMC11473226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Native lipid bilayer mimetics, including those that use amphiphilic polymers, are important for the effective study of membrane-bound peptides and proteins. Copolymers of vinyl ether monomers and maleic anhydride were developed with controlled molecular weights and hydrophobicity through reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization. After polymerization, the maleic anhydride units can be hydrolyzed, giving dicarboxylates. The vinyl ether and maleic anhydride copolymerized in a close to alternating manner, giving essentially alternating hydrophilic maleic acid units and hydrophobic vinyl ether units along the backbone after hydrolysis. The vinyl ether monomers and maleic acid polymers self-assembled with lipids, giving vinyl ether maleic acid lipid particles (VEMALPs) with tunable sizes controlled by either the vinyl ether hydrophobicity or the polymer molecular weight. These VEMALPs were able to support membrane-bound proteins and peptides, creating a new class of lipid bilayer mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zeeshan Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Nancy C. Rotich
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Evelyn A. Okorafor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Zachery Oestreicher
- Center for Advanced Microscopy and Imaging, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Gabrielle Demidovich
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Jeremy Eapen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Quinton Henoch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Julia Kilbey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Godfred Prempeh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Alison Bates
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Richard C. Page
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Gary A. Lorigan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Dominik Konkolewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, 651 E High St, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
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2
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Martin J, Michaelis M, Petrović S, Lehnen AC, Müllers Y, Wendler P, Möller HM, Hartlieb M, Glebe U. Application of Sortase-Mediated Ligation for the Synthesis of Block Copolymers and Protein-Polymer Conjugates. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2400316. [PMID: 39360589 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Sortase-mediated ligation (SML) has become a powerful tool for site-specific protein modification. However, sortase A (SrtA) suffers from low catalytic efficiency and mediates an equilibrium reaction. Therefore, ligations with large macromolecules may be challenging. Here, the synthesis of polymeric building blocks for sortase-mediated ligation constituting peptide-polymers with either the recognition sequence for sortase A (LPX1TGX2) or its nucleophilic counterpart (Gx) is demonstrated. The peptide-polymers are synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis followed by photo-iniferter (PI) reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of various monomers. The building blocks are subsequently utilized to investigate possibilities and limitations when using macromolecules in SML. In particular, diblock copolymers are obtained even when using the orthogonal building blocks in equimolar ratio by exploiting a technique to shift the reaction equilibrium. However, ligations of two polymers can not be achieved when the degree of polymerization exceeds 100. Subsequently, C-terminal protein-polymer conjugates are synthesized. Several polymers are utilized that can replace the omnipresent polyethylene glycol (PEG) in future therapeutics. The conjugation is exemplified with a nanobody that is known for efficient neutralization of SARS-CoV-2. The study demonstrates a universal approach to polymer-LPX1TGX2 and Gx-polymer building blocks and gives insight into their application in SML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Martin
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Marcus Michaelis
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Saša Petrović
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Anne-Catherine Lehnen
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Yannic Müllers
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Petra Wendler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Heiko M Möller
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Matthias Hartlieb
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ulrich Glebe
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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3
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Yang S, Du S, Zhu J, Ma S. Closed-loop recyclable polymers: from monomer and polymer design to the polymerization-depolymerization cycle. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:9609-9651. [PMID: 39177226 DOI: 10.1039/d4cs00663a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The extensive utilization of plastic, as a symbol of modern technological society, has consumed enormous amounts of finite and non-renewable fossil resources and produced huge amounts of plastic wastes in the land or ocean, and thus recycling and reuse of the plastic wastes have great ecological and economic benefits. Closed-loop recyclable polymers with inherent recyclability can be readily depolymerized into monomers with high selectivity and purity and repolymerized into polymers with the same performance. They are deemed to be the next generation of recyclable polymers and have captured great and increasing attention from academia and industry. Herein, we provide an overview of readily closed-loop recyclable polymers based on monomer and polymer design and no-other-reactant-involved reversible ring-opening and addition polymerization reactions. The state-of-the-art of circular polymers is separately summarized and discussed based on different monomers, including lactones, thiolactones, cyclic carbonates, hindered olefins, cycloolefins, thermally labile olefin comonomers, cyclic disulfides, cyclic (dithio) acetals, lactams, Diels-Alder addition monomers, Michael addition monomers, anhydride-secondary amide monomers, and cyclic anhydride-aldehyde monomers, and polymers with activatable end groups. The polymerization and depolymerization mechanisms are clearly disclosed, and the evolution of the monomer structure, the polymerization and depolymerization conditions, the corresponding polymerization yield, molecular weight, performance of the polymers, monomer recovery, and depolymerization equipment are also systematically summarized and discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and future prospects are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaiqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China.
| | - Shuai Du
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China.
| | - Jin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Polymeric Materials Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, P. R. China
| | - Songqi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China.
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Ahmetali E, Kocaarslan A, Bräse S, Théato P, Kasım Şener M. Zinc Phthalocyanine Core-First Star Polymers Through Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization and Nitroxide Exchange Reaction. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400601. [PMID: 39340483 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) and nitroxide exchange reaction (NER) are very efficient methodologies that require only suitable alkoxyamine derivatives and create different polymeric architectures in a controlled manner. Herein, the synthesis of star polymers containing TEMPO-substituted symmetric zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is presented via NMP and NER. Moreover, linear polymer formation is conducted in a single arm on TEMPO-substituted asymmetric ZnPc to elucidate the properties of star polymers. All linear and star polymers are characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis, fluorescence, GPC, NMR, and EPR techniques. The results show that the proposed reactions are capable of forming controlled star-shaped polymers. The increasing arm number (from a single to four arms) results in variable dispersity values (Đ) (1.2-3) due to different arm lengths, especially in NMP. However, this difficulty has been overcome via NER, and star polymers have been successfully synthesized with relatively low molecular weight (30 K > 10 K) and low dispersity (1.2-1.9). The results clearly indicate that while styrene and 4-vinyl benzyl chloride monomers are introduced to the structure equally, star polymers with phthalocyanine can be synthesized in a controlled manner, and their quarternized derivatives have the potential to be effective as photoactive agents in photodynamic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erem Ahmetali
- Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstraße 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, 34210, Turkey
| | - Azra Kocaarslan
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engesserstraße 18, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Stefan Bräse
- Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstraße 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Patrick Théato
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engesserstraße 18, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Soft Matter Synthesis Laboratory - Institute for Biological Interfaces III (IBG-3), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - M Kasım Şener
- Department of Chemistry, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, 34210, Turkey
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5
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Versteeg FG, Picchioni F. Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Polymerization in Supercritical CO 2: A Review. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400514. [PMID: 39259254 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The development of cleaner, more environmentally friendly processes in polymerization technology is crucial due to the prevalent use of volatile organic solvents (VOCs), which are harmful and toxic. Future regulations are likely to limit or ban VOCs. This review explores the use of supercritical solvents, specifically supercritical CO2 (scCO2), in polymerization processes. The study focuses on reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) induced homo-polymerization of various monomers using specific chain transfer agents (CTAs) in scCO2. RAFT polymerization, a reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) polymerization, relies heavily on the choice of CTA, which significantly influences the dispersity and molar mass of the resulting polymers. Stabilizers are also crucial in controlling product specifications for polymerizations in supercritical CO2, except for fluor-based polymers, although they must be removed and preferably recycled to ensure product purity and sustainability. The review notes that achieving high molar mass through RAFT polymerization in scCO2 is challenging due to solubility limits, which lead to polymer precipitation. Despite this, RAFT polymerization in scCO2 shows promise for sustainable, circular production of low molar mass polymers, although these cannot yet be fully considered green products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friso G Versteeg
- Department of Chemical Engineering - Product Technology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Picchioni
- Department of Chemical Engineering - Product Technology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
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Beeren IAO, Morgan FLC, Rademakers T, Bauer J, Dijkstra PJ, Moroni L, Baker MB. Well-Defined Synthetic Copolymers with Pendant Aldehydes Form Biocompatible Strain-Stiffening Hydrogels and Enable Competitive Ligand Displacement. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:24330-24347. [PMID: 39163519 PMCID: PMC11378284 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic hydrogels are attractive platforms for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their ability to mimic key extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical properties like strain-stiffening and stress relaxation while enabling enhanced processing characteristics like injectability, 3D printing, and self-healing. Systems based on imine-type dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC) have become increasingly popular. However, most reported polymers comprising aldehyde groups are based on either end-group-modified synthetic or side-chain-modified natural polymers; synthetic versions of side-chain-modified polymers are noticeably absent. To facilitate access to new classes of dynamic hydrogels, we report the straightforward synthesis of a water-soluble copolymer with a tunable fraction of pendant aldehyde groups (12-64%) using controlled radical polymerization and their formation into hydrogel biomaterials with dynamic cross-links. We found the polymer synthesis to be well-controlled with the determined reactivity ratios consistent with a blocky gradient microarchitecture. Subsequently, we observed fast gelation kinetics with imine-type cross-linking. We were able to vary hydrogel stiffness from ≈2 to 20 kPa, tune the onset of strain-stiffening toward a biologically relevant regime (σc ≈ 10 Pa), and demonstrate cytocompatibility using human dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, to begin to mimic the dynamic biochemical nature of the native ECM, we highlight the potential for temporal modulation of ligands in our system to demonstrate ligand displacement along the copolymer backbone via competitive binding. The combination of highly tunable composition, stiffness, and strain-stiffening, in conjunction with spatiotemporal control of functionality, positions these cytocompatible copolymers as a powerful platform for the rational design of next-generation synthetic biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo A O Beeren
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francis L C Morgan
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Timo Rademakers
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jurica Bauer
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter J Dijkstra
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew B Baker
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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7
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Zhang Y, Zhang J, Xu S, Shi G, He Y, Qiao X, Pang X. BaTiO 3 Catalyzed Ultrasonic-Driven Piezoelectric-Induced Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Polymerization in Aqueous Media. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2400235. [PMID: 38742492 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Compared with normal stimulus such as light and heat, ultrasonic possesses much deeper penetration into tissues and organs and has lower scattering in heterogeneous systems as a noninvasive stimulus. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT) in aqueous media is performed in a commercial ultrasonic wash bath with 40 kHz frequency ultrasonic, in the presence of piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles. Owing to the electron transfer from BTO under the ultrasonic action, the water can be decomposed to produce hydroxyl radical (HO•) and initiate the RAFT polymerization (piezo-RAFT). The piezo-RAFT polymerization exhibits features of controllable and livingness, such as linear increase of molar mass and narrow molar mass distributions (Mw/Mn < 1.20). Excellent temporal control of the polymerization and the chain fidelity of polymers are illustrated by "ON and OFF" experiment and chain extension, separately. Moreover, this ultrasonic-driven piezoelectric-induced RAFT polymerization in aqueous media can be directly used for the preparation of piezoelectric hydrogel which have potential application for stress sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Living Polymerizations and Functional Nanomaterials, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Junle Zhang
- Faculty of Engineering, Huanghe Science and Technology College, Zhengzhou, 450063, China
| | - Shuo Xu
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Living Polymerizations and Functional Nanomaterials, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ge Shi
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Living Polymerizations and Functional Nanomaterials, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yanjie He
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Living Polymerizations and Functional Nanomaterials, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiaoguang Qiao
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Living Polymerizations and Functional Nanomaterials, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- College of Materials Engineering, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Rare Earth Composite Materials, Henan Engineering Technology Research Center for Fiber Preparation and Modification, Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou, 451191, China
| | - Xinchang Pang
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Living Polymerizations and Functional Nanomaterials, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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8
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Chen J, Yin C, Zhao B, Cheng X. Strategies for preparation of chitosan based water-soluble fluorescent probes to detect Cr 3+ and Cu 2+ ions. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 276:133915. [PMID: 39019374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
The low solubility of chitosan (CS) imposes adverse effects on its application. In this work, one of the aims is to improve the water solubility of CS. By introducing water-soluble side chains to CS, this aim was achieved. Besides, fluorescent moieties were incorporated into the side chains, the fluorescent copolymers were endowed with Cr3+ and Cu2+ ions recognition ability. Firstly, a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) reagent with naphthalimide units and CC groups was prepared. Water-soluble monomer methyl acrylic acid (MAA) was employed in the RAFT polymerization. Thus, water-soluble polymer with fluorescent unit and -C ≡ C on both ends of the polymer was obtained. They were introduced into CS, and the CS-based fluorescent copolymers were obtained eventually. The amount of MAA introduced could be tuned to obtain three side chains of different lengths. It was found that the more MAA was introduced, the better the solubility of CS-TP was. The detection limits (LOD) of Cr3+ and Cu2+ were 44.6 nM and 54.5 nM, respectively. The detection of Cr3+ and Cu2+ ions is further combined with a mobile APP to realize real-time, portable, and visual detection. And the application in the logic gate, a new detection platform, is prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Chen
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Chuanqi Yin
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Xinjian Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China.
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9
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Gillhuber S, Holloway JO, Mundsinger K, Kammerer JA, Harmer JR, Frisch H, Barner-Kowollik C, Roesky PW. Visible light photoflow synthesis of a Cu(ii) single-chain polymer nanoparticle catalyst. Chem Sci 2024:d4sc03079f. [PMID: 39246378 PMCID: PMC11376198 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc03079f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
We herein pioneer the visible light (λ max = 410 nm) mediated flow synthesis of catalytically active single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs). Our design approach is based on a copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and a photocleavable 2-((((2-nitrobenzyl)oxy)carbonyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate monomer which can liberate amine groups upon visible light irradiation, allowing for single-chain collapse via the complexation of Cu(ii) ions. We initially demonstrate the successful applicability of our design approach for the batch photochemical synthesis of Cu(ii) SCNPs and transfer the concept to photoflow conditions, enabling, for the first time, the continuous production of functional SCNPs. Critically, we explore their ability to function as a photocatalyst for the cleavage of carbon-carbon single and double bonds on the examples of xanthene-9-carboxylic acid and oleic acid, demonstrating the advantageous effect SCNPs can provide over analogous small molecule catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Gillhuber
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Engesserstraße 15 76131 Karlsruhe Germany
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Joshua O Holloway
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Kai Mundsinger
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Jochen A Kammerer
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Harmer
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland (UQ) Building 57 Research Road 4072 Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Hendrik Frisch
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Christopher Barner-Kowollik
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2 George Street 4000 Brisbane QLD Australia
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen Germany
| | - Peter W Roesky
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Engesserstraße 15 76131 Karlsruhe Germany
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen Germany
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10
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Roka N, Papazoglou TP, Pitsikalis M. Block Copolymers of Poly(N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone) and Poly(Vinyl Esters) Bearing n-alkyl Side Groups via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Polymerization: Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2447. [PMID: 39274080 PMCID: PMC11398064 DOI: 10.3390/polym16172447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Amphiphilic block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and various vinyl esters (VEs), PNVP-b-PVEs, namely vinyl butyrate (VBu), vinyl decanoate (VDc), and vinyl stearate (VSt), were synthesized through RAFT polymerization techniques. The sequential addition of the monomers methodology was employed starting from the polymerization of NVP followed by the polymerization of the Ves' monomer. The polymerization of NVP was conducted at 60 °C in benzene solution using AIBN as the initiator and O-ethyl S-(phthalimidylmethyl) xanthate as the CTA. The resulting PNVP macro-CTA was further applied for the polymerization of the vinyl ester in dioxane solution at 80 °C using, again, AIBN as the initiator. The block copolymers were characterized through size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and NMR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior of the copolymers was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), whereas their thermal stability via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Roka
- Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodosia-Panagiota Papazoglou
- Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Marinos Pitsikalis
- Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
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11
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Yamanaka R, Sugawara-Narutaki A, Takahashi R. Microphase Separation and Gelation through Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly Using Star Polyethylene Glycols. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:1050-1055. [PMID: 39083349 PMCID: PMC11340017 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) during the synthesis of diblock copolymers has garnered considerable interest; however, architectures beyond diblock copolymers have scarcely been explored. Here, we studied PISA using 4- and 8-arm star polyethylene glycol (PEG), as well as 2-arm (linear) PEG, wherein each terminus of PEG was functionalized with a chain-transfer agent, holding a constant molar mass for each arm. Styrene was polymerized from each PEG terminus through reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization in an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM][PF6]), with a total solute concentration of 40 wt %. While the styrene monomer is soluble in [BMIM][PF6], polystyrene is not; thus, self-assembly and cross-linking (gelation) occur. Structural analysis by small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that a relatively ordered microphase-separated structure for PISA was observed. Two-arm PEG-PS formed hexagonally packed cylinders, whereas 4- and 8-arm PEG-PS exhibited hexagonal close-packed spheres and disordered spheres. The dynamics, studied by oscillatory rheology, were also influenced by the number of arms; the 4-arm star block copolymers showed the highest plateau modulus. This study demonstrates that the topology is an important factor in controlling the microphase-separated structure and mechanical properties when preparing gels through PISA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riku Yamanaka
- Department
of Energy Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
| | - Ayae Sugawara-Narutaki
- Department
of Energy Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
- Institute
of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo
Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Rintaro Takahashi
- Department
of Energy Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
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12
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Tooley O, Pointer W, Radmall R, Hall M, Swift T, Town J, Aydogan C, Junkers T, Wilson P, Lester D, Haddleton D. Real-Time Determination of Molecular Weight: Use of MaDDOSY (Mass Determination Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy) to Monitor the Progress of Polymerization Reactions. ACS POLYMERS AU 2024; 4:311-319. [PMID: 39156557 PMCID: PMC11328330 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.4c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Knowledge of molecular weight is an integral factor in polymer synthesis, and while many synthetic strategies have been developed to help control this, determination of the final molecular weight is often only measured at the end of the reaction. Herein, we provide a technique for the online determination of polymer molecular weight using a universal, solvent-independent diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) calibration and evidence its use in a variety of polymerization reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Tooley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - William Pointer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Rowan Radmall
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Mia Hall
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- School
of Chemistry, Monash University, 17 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Thomas Swift
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, West Yorkshire, United
Kingdom
| | - James Town
- Polymer
Characterization RTP, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Cansu Aydogan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Tanja Junkers
- School
of Chemistry, Monash University, 17 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Paul Wilson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Lester
- Polymer
Characterization RTP, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - David Haddleton
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Polymer
Characterization RTP, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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13
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Li Z, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Tang S. Mechanochemical Backbone Editing for Controlled Degradation of Vinyl Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202408225. [PMID: 38801168 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202408225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The chemically inert nature of fully saturated hydrocarbon backbones endows vinyl polymers with desirable durability, but it also leads to their significant environmental persistence. Enhancing the sustainability of these materials requires a pivotal yet challenging shift: transforming the inert backbone into one that is degradable. Here, we present a versatile platform for mechanochemically editing the fully saturated backbone of vinyl polymers towards degradable polymer chains by integrating cyclobutene-fused succinimide (CBS) units along backbone through photo-iniferter reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) copolymerization. Significantly, the evenly insertion of CBS units does not compromise thermal or chemical stability but rather offers a means to adjust the properties of polymethylacrylate (PMA). Meanwhile, reactive acyclic imide units can be selectively introduced to the backbone through mechanochemical activation (pulse ultrasonication or ball-milling grinding) when required. Subsequent hydrolysis of the acyclic imide groups enables efficient degradation, yielding telechelic oligomers. This approach holds promise for inspiring the design and modification of more environmentally friendly vinyl polymers through backbone editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yajun Zhao
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shan Tang
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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14
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Mapfumo P, Reichel LS, André T, Hoeppener S, Rudolph LK, Traeger A. Optimizing Biocompatibility and Gene Delivery with DMAEA and DMAEAm: A Niacin-Derived Copolymer Approach. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:4749-4761. [PMID: 38963401 PMCID: PMC11323007 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is pivotal in nanomedicine, offering a versatile approach to disease treatment. This study aims to achieve an optimal balance between biocompatibility and efficacy, which is a common challenge in the field. A copolymer library is synthesized, incorporating niacin-derived monomers 2-acrylamidoethyl nicotinate (AAEN) or 2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl nicotinate (AEN) with N,N-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylamide (DMAEAm) or hydrolysis-labile N,N-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate (DMAEA). Evaluation of the polymers' cytotoxicity profiles reveals that an increase in AAEN or DMAEA molar ratios correlates with improved biocompatibility. Remarkably, an increase in AAEN in both DMAEA and DMAEAm copolymers demonstrated enhanced transfection efficiencies of plasmid DNA in HEK293T cells. Additionally, the top-performing polymers demonstrate promising gene expression in challenging-to-transfect cells (THP-1 and Jurkat cells) and show no significant effect on modulating immune response induction in ex vivo treated murine monocytes. Overall, the best performing candidates exhibit an optimal balance between biocompatibility and efficacy, showcasing potential advancements in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper
P. Mapfumo
- Institute
of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Liên S. Reichel
- Institute
of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Thomas André
- Leibniz
Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoeppener
- Institute
of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, Jena 07743, Germany
- Jena
Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich
Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, Jena 07743, Germany
| | | | - Anja Traeger
- Institute
of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, Jena 07743, Germany
- Jena
Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich
Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, Jena 07743, Germany
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15
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Siddharth K, Pérez-Mercader J. Non-Biochemical Gradient Sequence-Controlled Polymers with Tuned Kinetics and Self-Assembled Morphologies. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400392. [PMID: 39127993 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Two key challenges in the multidisciplinary field of sequence-controlled polymers are their efficient synthesis and the establishment of correlation with polymer properties. In this context, in this paper, gradient architecture in the hydrophobic tail of an amphiphile is implemented and synthesized for a fixed hydrophilic unit (polyethylene glycol, PEG), by means of two monomers (2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, HPMA, and diacetone acrylamide, DAAM) of contrasting reactivities. The resulting non-biochemical gradient sequence-controlled polymers are generated from a one-pot, homogeneous mixture through a PET-RAFT-PISA (photoinduced electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer-polymerization-induced self-assembly) method. In addition, the initial concentration ratio of the monomers in the gradient is varied as an input for a set of fixed experimental parameters and conditions, and its correlation with kinetics, gradient and self-assembled morphologies is established, as the output of the process. These results are extensively corroborated via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analysis, together with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) experiments. These results have implications for chemical computation carried out by PISA, programmable self-assembly, information storage, biomimetics, origins of life and synthetic protocell studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Siddharth
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Harvard Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Juan Pérez-Mercader
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Harvard Origins of Life Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
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16
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Rodrigues DSL, Abreu CMR, Sauvage F, Coelho JFJ, Serra AC, Ivanou D, Mendes A. Improved Interfacial Electron Dynamics with Block Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-Poly(styrene) Polymers for Efficient and Long-Lasting Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2024; 6:8939-8949. [PMID: 39144281 PMCID: PMC11320385 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c01238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have recently entered the market for indoor photovoltaics. Fast electron injection from dye to titania, the lifetime of the excited dye, and the suppression of back electron recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte interface are crucial for a high photocurrent conversion efficiency (PCE). This study presents block copolymers of poly(4-vinylpyridine) and poly(styrene)-P4VP67-b-PSt x (x=23;61) as efficient accelerators of electron injection from dye to titania with extended lifetime excited states and long-lasting back electron recombination suppression. P4VP67-b-PSt23 and P4VP67-b-PSt61 rendered devices with PCEs of 10.0 and 9.8%, respectively, under AM 1.5G light; PCEs of 19.4 and 16.4% under 1000 lx LED light were attained. Copolymers provided a stable PCE with the two most popular I3 -/3I- electrolytes based on ACN and 3-methoxypropionitrile solvents; PCE history was tracked in the dark and under 1000 h of continuous light soaking with passive load according to ISOS-D1 and ISOS-L2 aging protocols, respectively. The impact of the polymer molecular structure on electron recombination, charge injection, dye anchoring, light absorption, photocurrent generation, and PCE and the long-term history of photovoltaic metrics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela
F. S. L. Rodrigues
- CEMMPRE,
ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima—Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
- LEPABE,
Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos M. R. Abreu
- CEMMPRE,
ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima—Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Frédéric Sauvage
- Laboratoire
de Réactivité et Chimie des Solides, Université
de Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV), CNRS UMR 7314, Hub de l’énergie, 15 rue Baudelocque, 80039 Amiens, France
| | - Jorge F. J. Coelho
- CEMMPRE,
ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima—Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
- IPN,
Instituto Pedro Nunes, Associação para a Inovação
e Desenvolvimento em Ciência e Tecnologia, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arménio C. Serra
- CEMMPRE,
ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima—Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dzmitry Ivanou
- LEPABE,
Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate
Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Adélio Mendes
- LEPABE,
Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate
Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
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17
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Wei Z, He W, Liu Z, Lin Y, Wang M, Li L, Wu C, Yang S, Liu G, Yang R. Orthogonal Radical and Cationic Single-Unit Monomer Insertions for Engineering Polymer Architectures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402265. [PMID: 38760991 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The single-unit monomer insertion (SUMI), derived from living/controlled polymerization, can be directly functionalized at the end or within the chain of polymers prepared by living/controlled polymerization, offering potential applications in the preparation of polymers with complex architectures. Many scenarios demand the simultaneous incorporation of monomers suitable for different polymerization methods into complex polymers. Therefore, it becomes imperative to utilize SUMI technologies with diverse mechanisms, especially those that are compatible with each other. Here, we reported the orthogonal SUMI technique, seamlessly combining radical and cationic SUMI approaches. Through the careful optimization of monomer and chain transfer agent pairs and adjustments to reaction conditions, we can efficiently execute both radical and cationic SUMI processes in one pot without mutual interference. The utilization of orthogonal SUMI pairs facilitates the integration of radical and cationic reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in various configurations. This flexibility enables the synthesis of diblock, triblock, and star polymers that incorporate both cationically and radically polymerizable monomers. Moreover, we have successfully implemented a mixing mechanism of free radicals and cations in RAFT step-growth polymerization, resulting in the creation of a side-chain sequence-controlled polymer brushes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Wei
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Wei He
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Zhihua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Yating Lin
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Liang Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Chunxiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Guhuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
| | - Ronghua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology & Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410081, China
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18
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Heinz S, Gemmer L, Janka O, Gallei M. Ferrocene-Modified Polyacrylonitrile-Containing Block Copolymers as Preceramic Materials. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2142. [PMID: 39125169 PMCID: PMC11314306 DOI: 10.3390/polym16152142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the pursuit of fabricating functional ceramic nanostructures, the design of preceramic functional polymers has garnered significant interest. With their easily adaptable chemical composition, molecular structure, and processing versatility, these polymers hold immense potential in this field. Our study succeeded in focusing on synthesizing ferrocene-containing block copolymers (BCPs) based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The synthesis is accomplished via different poly(acrylonitrile-block-methacrylate)s via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and activators regenerated by electron transfer ATRP (ARGET ATRP) for the PAN macroinitiators. The molecular weights of the BCPs range from 44 to 82 kDa with dispersities between 1.19 and 1.5 as determined by SEC measurements. The volume fraction of the PMMA block ranges from 0.16 to 0.75 as determined by NMR. The post-modification of the BCPs using 3-ferrocenyl propylamine has led to the creation of redox-responsive preceramic polymers. The thermal stabilization of the polymer film has resulted in stabilized morphologies based on the oxidative PAN chemistry. The final pyrolysis of the sacrificial block segment and conversion of the metallopolymer has led to the formation of a porous carbon network with an iron oxide functionalized surface, investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray mapping (EDX), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). These findings could have significant implications in various applications, demonstrating the practical value of our research in convenient ceramic material design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Heinz
- Polymer Chemistry, Campus C4 2, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Lea Gemmer
- Polymer Chemistry, Campus C4 2, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (S.H.); (L.G.)
| | - Oliver Janka
- Inorganic Solid State Chemistry, Campus C4 1, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany;
| | - Markus Gallei
- Polymer Chemistry, Campus C4 2, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (S.H.); (L.G.)
- Saarene, Campus C4 2, Saarland Center for Energy Materials and Sustainability, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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19
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György C, Wagstaff JS, Hunter SJ, Etim EU, Armes SP. Effect of Added Salt on the RAFT Polymerization of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate in Aqueous Media. Macromolecules 2024; 57:6816-6827. [PMID: 39071045 PMCID: PMC11271178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
We report the effect of added salt on the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in aqueous media. More specifically, poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC26) was employed as a salt-tolerant water-soluble block for chain extension with HEMA targeting PHEMA DPs from 100 to 800 in the presence of NaCl. Increasing the salt concentration significantly reduces the aqueous solubility of both the HEMA monomer and the growing PHEMA chains. HEMA conversions of more than 99% could be achieved within 6 h at 70 °C regardless of the NaCl concentration when targeting PMPC26-PHEMA800 vesicles at 20% w/w solids. Significantly faster rates of polymerization were observed at higher salt concentration owing to the earlier onset of micellar nucleation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to construct a pseudo-phase diagram for this polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) formulation. High-quality images required cross-linking of the PHEMA chains with glutaraldehyde prior to salt removal via dialysis. Block copolymer spheres, worms, or vesicles can be accessed at any salt concentration up to 2.5 M NaCl. However, only kinetically trapped spheres could be obtained in the presence of 3 M NaCl because the relatively low HEMA monomer solubility under such conditions leads to an aqueous emulsion polymerization rather than an aqueous dispersion polymerization. In this case, dynamic light scattering studies indicated a gradual increase in z-average diameter from 26 to 86 nm when adjusting the target PHEMA degree of polymerization from 200 to 800. When targeting PMPC26-PHEMA800 vesicles, increasing the salt content up to 2.5 M NaCl leads to a systematic reduction in the z-average diameter from 953 to 92 nm. Similarly, TEM analysis and dispersion viscosity measurements indicated a gradual reduction in worm contour length with increasing salt concentration for PMPC26-PHEMA600 worms. This new PISA formulation clearly illustrates the importance of added salt on aqueous monomer solubility and how this affects (i) the kinetics of polymerization, (ii) the morphology of the corresponding diblock copolymer nano-objects, and (iii) the mode of polymerization in aqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csilla György
- Dainton
Building, Department of Chemistry, Brook Hill, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Jacob S. Wagstaff
- Dainton
Building, Department of Chemistry, Brook Hill, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Saul J. Hunter
- Joseph
Banks Laboratories, School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, U.K.
| | - Esther U. Etim
- Dainton
Building, Department of Chemistry, Brook Hill, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Dainton
Building, Department of Chemistry, Brook Hill, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
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20
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Leyden MC, Oviedo F, Saxena S, Kumar R, Le N, Reineke TM. Synergistic Polymer Blending Informs Efficient Terpolymer Design and Machine Learning Discerns Performance Trends for pDNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:897-911. [PMID: 38924453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cationic polymers offer an alternative to viral vectors in nucleic acid delivery. However, the development of polymer vehicles capable of high transfection efficiency and minimal toxicity has remained elusive, and continued exploration of the vast design space is required. Traditional single polymer syntheses with large monomer bases are very time-intensive, limiting the speed at which new formulations are identified. In this work, we present an experimental method for the quick probing of the design space, utilizing a combinatorial set of 90 polymer blends, derived from 6 statistical copolymers, to deliver pDNA. This workflow facilitated rapid screening of polyplex compositions, successfully tailoring polyplex hydrophobicity, particle size, and payload binding affinity. This workflow identified blended polyplexes with high levels of transfection efficiency and cell viability relative to single copolymer controls and commercial JetPEI, indicating synergistic benefits from copolymer blending. Polyplex composition was coupled with biological outputs to guide the synthesis of single terpolymer vehicles, with high-performing polymers P10 and M20, providing superior transfection of HEK293T cells in serum-free and serum-containing media, respectively. Machine learning coupled with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to identify polymer/polyplex attributes that most impact transfection efficiency, viability, and overall effective efficiency. Subsequent transfections on ARPE-19 and HDFn cells found that P10 and M20 were surpassed in performance by M10, contrasting with results in HEK293T cells. This cell type dependency reinforced the need to evaluate transfection conditions with multiple cell models to potentially identify moieties more beneficial to delivery in certain tissues. Overall, the workflow employed can be used to expedite the exploration of the polymer design space, bypassing extensive synthesis, and to develop improved polymer delivery vehicles more readily for nucleic acid therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Leyden
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Felipe Oviedo
- Nanite Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02109, United States
| | - Sonashree Saxena
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Ngoc Le
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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21
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Wu T, Wang Z, Yin F, Wang W, Yi Z. Isoporous Membranes by the Symmetric Triblock Copolymer: A Strategy to Improve the Mechanical Strength without Sharply Changing the Pore Size and Permselectivity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:37073-37086. [PMID: 38958638 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Isoporous membranes produced from diblock copolymers commonly display a poor mechanical property that shows many negative impacts on their separation application. It is theoretically predicted that dense films produced from symmetric triblock copolymers show much stronger mechanical properties than those of homologous diblock copolymers. However, to the best of our knowledge, symmetric triblock copolymers have rarely been fabricated into isoporous membranes before, and a full understanding of separation as well as mechanical properties of membranes prepared from triblock copolymers and homologous diblock copolymers has not been conducted, either. In this work, a cleavable symmetric triblock copolymer with polystyrene as the side block and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) as the middle block was synthesized and designed by the RAFT polymerization using the symmetric chain transfer agent, which located at the center of polymer chains and could be removed to produce homologous diblock copolymers with half-length while having the same composition as that found in triblock copolymers. The self-assembly of these two copolymers in thin films and casting solutions was first investigated, observing that they displayed similar self-organized structures under these two conditions. When fabricated into isoporous membranes, they showed similar pore sizes (5-7% difference) and comparable rejection performance (∼10% difference). However, isoporous membranes produced from triblock copolymers showed significantly improved mechanical strength and higher toughness (2-10 times larger) as evidenced by the compacting resistance, strain-stress determination, and nanoindentation testing, suggesting the unique and novel structure-performance relationship in the isoporous membranes produced from symmetric triblock copolymers. The above finding will guide the way to fabricate mechanically robust isoporous membranes without notably changing the separation performance from rarely used symmetric triblock copolymers, which can be synthesized by the controlled polymerization as facilely as that found for diblock copolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- Center for Membrane and Water Science & Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Huzhou Institute of Collaborative Innovation Center for Membrane Separation and Water treatment, Hong Feng Road, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Zixiong Wang
- Center for Membrane and Water Science & Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Fengjie Yin
- Center for Membrane and Water Science & Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Center for Membrane and Water Science & Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Zhuan Yi
- Center for Membrane and Water Science & Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Huzhou Institute of Collaborative Innovation Center for Membrane Separation and Water treatment, Hong Feng Road, Huzhou 313000, China
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22
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Mountaki S, Whitfield R, Liarou E, Truong NP, Anastasaki A. Open-Air Chemical Recycling: Fully Oxygen-Tolerant ATRP Depolymerization. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:18848-18854. [PMID: 38958656 PMCID: PMC11258787 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
While oxygen-tolerant strategies have been overwhelmingly developed for controlled radical polymerizations, the low radical concentrations typically required for high monomer recovery render oxygen-tolerant solution depolymerizations particularly challenging. Here, an open-air atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) depolymerization is presented, whereby a small amount of a volatile cosolvent is introduced as a means to thoroughly remove oxygen. Ultrafast depolymerization (i.e., 2 min) could efficiently proceed in an open vessel, allowing a very high monomer retrieval to be achieved (i.e., ∼91% depolymerization efficiency), on par with that of the fully deoxygenated analogue. Oxygen probe studies combined with detailed depolymerization kinetics revealed the importance of the low-boiling point cosolvent in removing oxygen prior to the reaction, thus facilitating effective open-air depolymerization. The versatility of the methodology was demonstrated by performing reactions with a range of different ligands and at high polymer loadings (1 M monomer repeat unit concentration) without significantly compromising the yield. This approach provides a fully oxygen-tolerant, facile, and efficient route to chemically recycle ATRP-synthesized polymers, enabling exciting new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella
Afroditi Mountaki
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Richard Whitfield
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Evelina Liarou
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick Library Road, Coventry CV4 7SH, U.K.
| | - Nghia P. Truong
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Athina Anastasaki
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
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23
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De Alwis Watuthanthrige N, Whitfield R, Harrisson S, Truong NP, Anastasaki A. Thermal Solution Depolymerization of RAFT Telechelic Polymers. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:806-811. [PMID: 38857492 PMCID: PMC11256755 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Thermal solution depolymerization is a promising low-temperature chemical recycling strategy enabling high monomer recovery from polymers made by controlled radical polymerization. However, current methodologies predominantly focus on the depolymerization of monofunctional polymers, limiting the material scope and depolymerization pathways. Herein, we report the depolymerization of telechelic polymers synthesized by RAFT polymerization. Notably, we observed a significant decrease in the molecular weight (Mn) of the polymers during monomer recovery, which contrasts the minimal Mn shift observed during the depolymerization of monofunctional polymers. Introducing Z groups at the center or both ends of the polymer resulted in distinct kinetic profiles, indicating partial depolymerization of the bifunctional polymers, as supported by mathematical modeling. Remarkably, telechelic polymers featuring R-terminal groups showed up to 68% improvement in overall depolymerization conversion compared to their monofunctional analogues, highlighting the potential of these materials in chemical recycling and the circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Whitfield
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Simon Harrisson
- Laboratoire
de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, University of Bordeaux/Bordeaux-INP/CNRS UMR5629, Pessac 33607, France
| | - Nghia P. Truong
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Athina Anastasaki
- Laboratory
of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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24
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Oumerri J, Qayouh H, Arteni AA, Six JL, Lahcini M, Ferji K. One-pot Formulation of Cationic Oligochitosan Coated Nanoparticles via Photo- Polymerization Induced Self-Assembly. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202400291. [PMID: 38646967 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202400291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
During last few decades, oligochitosan (OCS)-coated nanoparticles have received great interest for nanomedicine, food and environment applications. However, their current formulation techniques are time-consuming with multi-synthesis/purification steps and sometimes require the use of organic solvents, crosslinkers and surfactants. Herein, we report a facile and rapid one-pot synthesis of OCS-based nanoparticles using photo-initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization-induced self-assembly (Photo-RAFT PISA) under UV-irradiation at room temperature. To achieve this, OCS was first functionalized by a chain transfer agent (CTA) resulting in a macromolecular chain transfer agent (OCS-CTA), which will act as a reactive electrostatic/steric stabilizer. Owing to its UV-sensitivity, OCS-CTA was then used as photo-iniferter to initiate the polymerization of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) in aqueous acidic buffer, resulting in OCS-g-PHPMA amphiphilic grafted copolymers which self-assemble into nano-objects. Transmission electron microscopy and light scattering analysis reveal formation of spherical nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihad Oumerri
- Laboratoire de chimie physique macromoleculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 1 rue Grandville, F-54000, NANCY, France
- LCO2MC, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Abdelkrim Al Khattabi, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Hicham Qayouh
- LCO2MC, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Abdelkrim Al Khattabi, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Ana Andreea Arteni
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, 1 Av. de la Terrasse Bâtiment 21, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jean-Luc Six
- Laboratoire de chimie physique macromoleculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 1 rue Grandville, F-54000, NANCY, France
| | - Mohammed Lahcini
- LCO2MC, Cadi Ayyad University, Bd Abdelkrim Al Khattabi, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
- Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660, ISSB-P, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Khalid Ferji
- Laboratoire de chimie physique macromoleculaire (LCPM), Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 1 rue Grandville, F-54000, NANCY, France
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25
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He ZJ, Huang B, Cai LH. Bottlebrush Polyethylene Glycol Nanocarriers Translocate across Human Airway Epithelium via Molecular Architecture-Enhanced Endocytosis. ACS NANO 2024; 18:17586-17599. [PMID: 38932624 PMCID: PMC11238595 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary drug delivery is critical for the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, the human airway surface presents multiple barriers to efficient drug delivery. Here, we report a bottlebrush poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-BB) nanocarrier that can translocate across all barriers within the human airway surface. Guided by a molecular theory, we design a PEG-BB molecule consisting of a linear backbone densely grafted by many (∼1000) low molecular weight (∼1000 g/mol) polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains; this results in a highly anisotropic, wormlike nanocarrier featuring a contour length of ∼250 nm, a cross-section of ∼20 nm, and a hydrodynamic diameter of ∼40 nm. Using the classic air-liquid-interface culture system to recapitulate essential biological features of the human airway surface, we show that PEG-BB rapidly penetrates through endogenous airway mucus and periciliary brush layer (mesh size of 20-40 nm) to be internalized by cells across the whole epithelium. By quantifying the cellular uptake of polymeric carriers of various molecular architectures and manipulating cell proliferation and endocytosis pathways, we show that the translocation of PEG-BB across the epithelium is driven by bottlebrush architecture-enhanced endocytosis. Our results demonstrate that large, wormlike bottlebrush PEG polymers, if properly designed, can be used as a carrier for pulmonary and mucosal drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jian He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Baiqiang Huang
- Soft Biomatter Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Li-Heng Cai
- Soft Biomatter Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
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26
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Liu P, Jimaja S, Immel S, Thomas C, Mayer M, Weder C, Bruns N. Mechanically triggered on-demand degradation of polymers synthesized by radical polymerizations. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1184-1192. [PMID: 38609710 PMCID: PMC11230896 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Polymers that degrade on demand have the potential to facilitate chemical recycling, reduce environmental pollution and are useful in implant immolation, drug delivery or as adhesives that debond on demand. However, polymers made by radical polymerization, which feature all carbon-bond backbones and constitute the most important class of polymers, have proven difficult to render degradable. Here we report cyclobutene-based monomers that can be co-polymerized with conventional monomers and impart the resulting polymers with mechanically triggered degradability. The cyclobutene residues act as mechanophores and can undergo a mechanically triggered ring-opening reaction, which causes a rearrangement that renders the polymer chains cleavable by hydrolysis under basic conditions. These cyclobutene-based monomers are broadly applicable in free radical and controlled radical polymerizations, introduce functional groups into the backbone of polymers and allow the mechanically gated degradation of high-molecular-weight materials or cross-linked polymer networks into low-molecular-weight species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Sètuhn Jimaja
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Immel
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Michael Mayer
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Weder
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Nico Bruns
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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27
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Sanders MA, Chittari SS, Foley JR, Swofford WM, Elder BM, Knight AS. Leveraging Triphenylphosphine-Containing Polymers to Explore Design Principles for Protein-Mimetic Catalysts. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:17404-17413. [PMID: 38863219 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Complex interactions between noncoordinating residues are significant yet commonly overlooked components of macromolecular catalyst function. While these interactions have been demonstrated to impact binding affinities and catalytic rates in metalloenzymes, the roles of similar structural elements in synthetic polymeric catalysts remain underexplored. Using a model Suzuki-Miyuara cross-coupling reaction, we performed a series of systematic studies to probe the interconnected effects of metal-ligand cross-links, electrostatic interactions, and local rigidity in polymer catalysts. To achieve this, a novel bifunctional triphenylphosphine acrylamide (BisTPPAm) monomer was synthesized and evaluated alongside an analogous monofunctional triphenylphosphine acrylamide (TPPAm). In model copolymer catalysts, increased initial reaction rates were observed for copolymers untethered by Pd complexation (BisTPPAm-containing) compared to Pd-cross-linked catalysts (TPPAm-containing). Further, incorporating local rigidity through secondary structure-like and electrostatic interactions revealed nonmonotonic relationships between composition and the reaction rate, demonstrating the potential for tunable behavior through secondary-sphere interactions. Finally, through rigorous cheminformatics featurization strategies and statistical modeling, we quantitated relationships between chemical descriptors of the substrate and reaction conditions on catalytic performance. Collectively, these results provide insights into relationships among the composition, structure, and function of protein-mimetic catalytic copolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Sanders
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Supraja S Chittari
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jack R Foley
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - William M Swofford
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Bridgette M Elder
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Abigail S Knight
- Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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28
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Zhao P, Klein J. Lubricating Polymer Gels/Coatings: Syntheses and Measurement Strategies. Gels 2024; 10:407. [PMID: 38920953 PMCID: PMC11202676 DOI: 10.3390/gels10060407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Straightforward design and long-term functionality for tribological considerations has prompted an extensive substitution of polymers for metals across various applications, from industrial machinery to medical devices. Lubrication of and by polymer gels/coatings, essential for ensuring the cost-effective operation and reliability of applications, has gained strong momentum by benefiting from the structural characteristics of natural lubrication systems (such as articular cartilage). The optimal synthetic strategy for lubricating polymer gels/coatings would be a holistic approach, wherein the lubrication mechanism in relation to the structural properties offers a pathway to design tailor-made materials. This review considers recent synthesis strategies for creating lubricating polymer gels/coatings from the molecular level (including polymer brushes, loops, microgels, and hydrogels), and assessing their frictional properties, as well as considering the underlying mechanism of their lubrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zhao
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jacob Klein
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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29
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Guerassimoff L, Ferrere M, Bossion A, Nicolas J. Stimuli-sensitive polymer prodrug nanocarriers by reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:6511-6567. [PMID: 38775004 PMCID: PMC11181997 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs01060g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Polymer prodrugs are based on the covalent linkage of therapeutic molecules to a polymer structure which avoids the problems and limitations commonly encountered with traditional drug-loaded nanocarriers in which drugs are just physically entrapped (e.g., burst release, poor drug loadings). In the past few years, reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques have been extensively used to design tailor-made polymer prodrug nanocarriers. This synthesis strategy has received a lot of attention due to the possibility of fine tuning their structural parameters (e.g., polymer nature and macromolecular characteristics, linker nature, physico-chemical properties, functionalization, etc.), to achieve optimized drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. In particular, adjusting the nature of the drug-polymer linker has enabled the easy synthesis of stimuli-responsive polymer prodrugs for efficient spatiotemporal drug release. In this context, this review article will give an overview of the different stimuli-sensitive polymer prodrug structures designed by RDRP techniques, with a strong focus on the synthesis strategies, the macromolecular architectures and in particular the drug-polymer linker, which governs the drug release kinetics and eventually the therapeutic effect. Their biological evaluations will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Guerassimoff
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France.
| | - Marianne Ferrere
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France.
| | - Amaury Bossion
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France.
| | - Julien Nicolas
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 91400, Orsay, France.
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30
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Kapil K, Jazani AM, Sobieski J, Madureira LP, Szczepaniak G, Martinez MR, Gorczyński A, Murata H, Kowalewski T, Matyjaszewski K. Hydrophilic Poly(meth)acrylates by Controlled Radical Branching Polymerization: Hyperbranching and Fragmentation. Macromolecules 2024; 57:5368-5379. [PMID: 38882197 PMCID: PMC11171460 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Topology significantly impacts polymer properties and applications. Hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using inimers typically exhibit broad molecular weight distributions and limited control over branching. Alternatively, copolymerization of inibramers (IB), such as α-chloro/bromo acrylates with vinyl monomers, yields HBPs with precise and uniform branching. Herein, we described the synthesis of hydrophilic HB polyacrylates in water by copolymerizing a water-soluble IB, oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether 2-bromoacrylate (OEOBA), with various hydrophilic acrylate comonomers. Visible-light-mediated controlled radical branching polymerization (CRBP) with dual catalysis using eosin Y (EY) and copper complexes resulted in HBPs with various molecular weights (M n = 38 000 to 170 000) and degrees of branching (2%-24%). Furthermore, the optimized conditions enabled the successful application of the OEOBA to synthesize linear-hyperbranched block copolymers and hyperbranched polymer protein hybrids (HB-PPH), demonstrating its potential to advance the synthesis of complex macromolecular architecture under environmentally benign conditions. Copolymerization of hydrophilic methacrylate monomer, oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate (OEOMA500), and inibramer OEOBA was accompanied by fragmentation via β-carbon C-C bond scission and subsequent growth of polymer chains from the fragments. Furthermore, computational studies investigating the fragmentation depending on the IB and comonomer structure supported the experimental observations. This work expands the toolkit of water-soluble inibramers for CRBP and highlights the critical influence of the inibramer structure on reaction outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Kapil
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Arman Moini Jazani
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Julian Sobieski
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Leticia P Madureira
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Grzegorz Szczepaniak
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Michael R Martinez
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- PPG Industries, Inc., 4325 Rosanna Drive, Allison Park, Pennysylvania 15101, United States
| | - Adam Gorczyński
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, Poznań, 61-614, Poland
| | - Hironobu Murata
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Tomasz Kowalewski
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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31
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Berrow SR, Mandle RJ, Raistrick T, Reynolds M, Gleeson HF. Toward Monodomain Nematic Liquid Crystal Elastomers of Arbitrary Thickness through PET-RAFT Polymerization. Macromolecules 2024; 57:5218-5229. [PMID: 38882196 PMCID: PMC11171763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are polymeric materials that are proposed for a range of applications. However, to reach their full potential, it is desirable to have as much flexibility as possible in terms of the sample dimensions, while maintaining well-defined alignment. In this work, photoinduced electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization is applied to the synthesis of LCEs for the first time. An initial LCE layer (∼100 μm thickness) is partially cured before a second layer of the precursor mixture is added. The curing reaction is then resumed and is observed by FTIR to complete within 15 min of irradiation, yielding samples of increased thickness. Monodomain samples that exhibit an auxetic response and are of thickness 250-300 μm are consistently achieved. All samples are characterized thermally, mechanically, and in terms of their order parameters. The LCEs have physical properties comparable to those of analogous LCEs produced via free-radical polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart R Berrow
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Richard J Mandle
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Thomas Raistrick
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Matthew Reynolds
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Helen F Gleeson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
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32
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Zhang M, Choi W, Kim M, Choi J, Zang X, Ren Y, Chen H, Tsukruk V, Peng J, Liu Y, Kim DH, Lin Z. Recent Advances in Environmentally Friendly Dual-crosslinking Polymer Networks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318035. [PMID: 38586975 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Environmentally friendly crosslinked polymer networks feature degradable covalent or non-covalent bonds, with many of them manifesting dynamic characteristics. These attributes enable convenient degradation, facile reprocessibility, and self-healing capabilities. However, the inherent instability of these crosslinking bonds often compromises the mechanical properties of polymer networks, limiting their practical applications. In this context, environmentally friendly dual-crosslinking polymer networks (denoted EF-DCPNs) have emerged as promising alternatives to address this challenge. These materials effectively balance the need for high mechanical properties with the ability to degrade, recycle, and/or self-heal. Despite their promising potential, investigations into EF-DCPNs remain in their nascent stages, and several gaps and limitations persist. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, properties, and applications of recent progress in EF-DCPNs. Firstly, synthetic routes to a rich variety of EF-DCPNs possessing two distinct types of dynamic bonds (i.e., imine, disulfide, ester, hydrogen bond, coordination bond, and other bonds) are introduced. Subsequently, complex structure- and dynamic nature-dependent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of EF-DCPNs are discussed, followed by their exemplary applications in electronics and biotechnology. Finally, future research directions in this rapidly evolving field are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Woosung Choi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Minju Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyoung Choi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Xuerui Zang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Yujing Ren
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Han Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Vladimir Tsukruk
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Juan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yijiang Liu
- College of Chemistry, Key Lab of Environment-Friendly Chemistry and Application in Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan Province, 411105, China
| | - Dong Ha Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhiqun Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
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33
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Farmer MH, Musa OM, Armes SP. Combining Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly with Reverse Sequence Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly Enables the Efficient Synthesis of Hydrolytically Degradable Anisotropic Block Copolymer Nano-objects Directly in Concentrated Aqueous Media. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:16926-16934. [PMID: 38842535 PMCID: PMC11191691 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c06299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Herein we combine the well-known processing advantages conferred by polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) with crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) to achieve the efficient synthesis of hydrolytically degradable, highly anisotropic block copolymer nano-objects directly in aqueous solution at 30% w/w solids. This new strategy involves a so-called reverse sequence PISA protocol that employs poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) as the crystallizable core-forming block and poly(N,N'-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAC) as the water-soluble non-ionic coronal block. Such syntheses result in PDMAC-rich anisotropic nanoparticles. Depending on the target diblock copolymer composition, either rod-like nanoparticles or diamond-like platelets can be obtained. Furthermore, N-Acryloylmorpholine is briefly evaluated as an alternative hydrophilic vinyl monomer to DMAC. Given that the PLLA block can undergo either hydrolytic or enzymatic degradation, such nanoparticles are expected to offer potential applications in various fields, including next-generation sustainable Pickering emulsifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew
A. H. Farmer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Osama M. Musa
- Ashland
Specialty Ingredients, 1005 US 202/206, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807, United States
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, U.K.
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34
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Çalbaş B, Keobounnam AN, Korban C, Doratan AJ, Jean T, Sharma AY, Wright TA. Protein-polymer bioconjugation, immobilization, and encapsulation: a comparative review towards applicability, functionality, activity, and stability. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:2841-2864. [PMID: 38683585 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01861j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Polymer-based biomaterials have received a lot of attention due to their biomedical, agricultural, and industrial potential. Soluble protein-polymer bioconjugates, immobilized proteins, and encapsulated proteins have been shown to tune enzymatic activity, improved pharmacokinetic ability, increased chemical and thermal stability, stimuli responsiveness, and introduced protein recovery. Controlled polymerization techniques, increased protein-polymer attachment techniques, improved polymer surface grafting techniques, controlled polymersome self-assembly, and sophisticated characterization methods have been utilized for the development of well-defined polymer-based biomaterials. In this review we aim to provide a brief account of the field, compare these methods for engineering biomaterials, provide future directions for the field, and highlight impacts of these forms of bioconjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berke Çalbaş
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Ashley N Keobounnam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Christopher Korban
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ainsley Jade Doratan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Tiffany Jean
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Aryan Yashvardhan Sharma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Thaiesha A Wright
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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35
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Clarke BR, Witt CL, Ilton M, Crosby AJ, Watkins JJ, Tew GN. Bottlebrush Networks: A Primer for Advanced Architectures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318220. [PMID: 38588310 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Bottlebrush networks (BBNs) are an exciting new class of materials with interesting physical properties derived from their unique architecture. While great strides have been made in our fundamental understanding of bottlebrush polymers and networks, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary for the field to accelerate advancements. This review aims to act as a primer to BBN chemistry and physics for both new and current members of the community. In addition to providing an overview of contemporary BBN synthetic methods, we developed a workflow and desktop application (LengthScale), enabling bottlebrush physics to be more approachable. We conclude by addressing several topical issues and asking a series of pointed questions to stimulate conversation within the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon R Clarke
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States
| | - Connor L Witt
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States
| | - Mark Ilton
- Department of Physics, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
| | - Alfred J Crosby
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States
| | - James J Watkins
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States
| | - Gregory N Tew
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States
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36
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Raji IO, Dodo OJ, Saha NK, Eisenhart M, Miller KM, Whitfield R, Anastasaki A, Konkolewicz D. Network Polymer Properties Engineered Through Polymer Backbone Dispersity and Structure. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315200. [PMID: 38546541 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
Dispersity (Ð or Mw/Mn) is an important parameter in material design and as such can significantly impact the properties of polymers. Here, polymer networks with independent control over the molecular weight and dispersity of the linear chains that form the material are developed. Using a RAFT polymerization approach, a library of polymers with dispersity ranging from 1.2-1.9 for backbone chain-length (DP) 100, and 1.4-3.1 for backbone chain-length 200 were developed and transformed to networks through post-polymerization crosslinking to form disulfide linkers. The tensile, swelling, and adhesive properties were explored, finding that both at DP 100 and DP 200 the swelling ratio, tensile strength, and extensibility were superior at intermediate dispersity (1.3-1.5 for DP 100 and 1.6-2.1 for DP 200) compared to materials with either substantially higher or lower dispersity. Furthermore, adhesive properties for materials with chains of intermediate dispersity at DP 200 revealed enhanced performance compared to the very low or high dispersity chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim O Raji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA
| | - Obed J Dodo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA
| | - Nirob K Saha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA
| | - Mary Eisenhart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA
| | - Kevin M Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071, USA
| | - Richard Whitfield
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH, Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Athina Anastasaki
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH, Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Konkolewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA
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37
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Jerlhagen Å, Wilson O, Malmström E. Self-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Nitrile-Containing RAFT Chain-Transfer Agent and Its Impact upon Polymerization Control of Methacrylic Monomers. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:565-570. [PMID: 38636106 PMCID: PMC11112727 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Self-catalyzed hydrolysis upon storage of the common RAFT chain-transfer agent (CTA) 4-cyano-4-[(thiothiopropyl)sulfanyl] pentanoic acid (CTPPA) is confirmed, where the nitrile group is transformed into an amide by catalysis from the adjacent carboxylic acid moiety. The amide-CTA (APP) is found to poorly control molecular weight evolution during polymerization of two methacrylates, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N,N-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), likely due to poor reinitiation speed in the pre-equilibrium. However, when attached to a macromolecule, the impact of this amide moiety becomes insignificant and chain extension proceeds as expected with CTPPA. In light of CTPPA and similarly hydrolyzable CTAs being extensively employed for aqueous polymerizations of methacrylates, these findings highlight the importance of CTA purity when performing RAFT polymerizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Jerlhagen
- KTH
Royal Institute of Technology, Department
of Fiber and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in
Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- FibRe
− Centre for Lignocellulose-based Thermoplastics, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Department of Fiber
and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry,
Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olivia Wilson
- KTH
Royal Institute of Technology, Department
of Fiber and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in
Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- FibRe
− Centre for Lignocellulose-based Thermoplastics, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Department of Fiber
and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry,
Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- Wallenberg
Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56−58, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Malmström
- KTH
Royal Institute of Technology, Department
of Fiber and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in
Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- FibRe
− Centre for Lignocellulose-based Thermoplastics, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Department of Fiber
and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry,
Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- Wallenberg
Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56−58, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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38
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Dalal RJ, Oviedo F, Leyden MC, Reineke TM. Polymer design via SHAP and Bayesian machine learning optimizes pDNA and CRISPR ribonucleoprotein delivery. Chem Sci 2024; 15:7219-7228. [PMID: 38756796 PMCID: PMC11095369 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06920f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
We present the facile synthesis of a clickable polymer library with systematic variations in length, binary composition, pKa, and hydrophobicity (clog P) to optimize intracellular pDNA and CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) performance. We couple physicochemical characterization and machine learning to interpret quantitative structure-property relationships within the combinatorial design space. For the first time, we reveal unexpected disparate design parameters for nucleic acid carriers; via explainable machine learning on 432 formulations, we discover that lower polymer pKa and higher percentages of benzimidazole ethanethiol enhance pDNA delivery, yet polymer length and captamine cation identity improve RNP delivery. Closed-loop Bayesian optimization of 552 formulation ratios further enhances in vitro performance. The top three polymers yield a higher signal and stable transgene expression over 20 days in vivo, and a 1.7-fold enhancement over controls. Our facile coupling of synthesis, characterization, and machine analysis provides powerful tools to quantitate performance parameters accelerating next-generation vehicles for nucleic acid medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishad J Dalal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota 55455 USA
| | | | - Michael C Leyden
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota 55455 USA
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota 55455 USA
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39
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Higaki Y, Maeda S, Miura Y. Impact of Zwitterions on the Acidity Constant and Glucose Sensitivity of Block Copolymers with Phenylboronic Acid. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:10355-10361. [PMID: 38688035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Molecular assemblies that transform in response to pH and saccharide concentration are promising nanomaterials in the field of biomedicine, and polymeric micelles of amphiphilic polymers with phenylboronic acids (PBAs) have been studied. Herein, we report the impact of zwitterions on the acidity constant for the collapse and the glucose sensitivity of a polymeric micelle produced from a diblock copolymer comprising polyacrylamides with PBA and zwitterionic carboxybetaine (PAEBB-b-PCBAAm). The diblock copolymer was synthesized through reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization followed by deprotection. PAEBB-b-PCBAAm produced micellar aggregates in aqueous solutions at a neutral pH, and the polymeric micelles collapsed at a pH of 11.0 because the PBA transformed into a hydroxyboronate anion. The pKa decreased in the presence of glucose owing to boronate ester formation. The PCBAAm chain significantly increased the pH at which the molecular assemblies dissociated. This is probably because the pKa of boronic acid increased through the dipolar interaction of zwitterions, and/or the zwitterionic polymer corona is valid for screening of PBA ionization and electrostatic repulsion of boronate anions. This study on the modulation of pKa through the zwitterionic interaction can facilitate the molecular design of pH- and saccharide-responsive biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Higaki
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Oita University, 700 Dannoharu, Oita 870-1192, Japan
| | - Saya Maeda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Oita University, 700 Dannoharu, Oita 870-1192, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Miura
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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40
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Zaharia MM, Bucatariu F, Karayianni M, Lotos ED, Mihai M, Pispas S. Synthesis of Thermoresponsive Chitosan- graft-Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) Hybrid Copolymer and Its Complexation with DNA. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1315. [PMID: 38794509 PMCID: PMC11124826 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
A hybrid synthetic-natural, thermoresponsive graft copolymer composed of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) side chains, prepared via RAFT polymerization, and a chitosan (Chit) polysaccharide backbone, was synthesized via radical addition-fragmentation reactions using the "grafting to" technique, in aqueous solution. ATR-FTIR, TGA, polyelectrolyte titrations and 1H NMR spectroscopy were employed in order to validate the Chit-g-PNIPAM copolymer chemical structure. Additionally, 1H NMR spectra and back conductometric titration were utilized to quantify the content of grafted PNIPAM side chains. The resulting graft copolymer contains dual functionality, namely both pH responsive free amino groups, with electrostatic complexation/coordination properties, and thermoresponsive PNIPAM side chains. Particle size measurements via dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to study the thermoresponsive behavior of the Chit-g-PNIPAM copolymer. Thermal properties examined by TGA showed that, by the grafting modification with PNIPAM, the Chit structure became more thermally stable. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the copolymer solution was determined by DLS measurements at 25-45 °C. Furthermore, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering measurements demonstrated that the Chit-g-PNIPAM thermoresponsive copolymer is suitable of binding DNA molecules and forms nanosized polyplexes at different amino to phosphate groups ratios, with potential application as gene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius-Mihai Zaharia
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (M.-M.Z.); (F.B.); (M.K.); (E.-D.L.)
| | - Florin Bucatariu
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (M.-M.Z.); (F.B.); (M.K.); (E.-D.L.)
| | - Maria Karayianni
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (M.-M.Z.); (F.B.); (M.K.); (E.-D.L.)
| | - Elena-Daniela Lotos
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (M.-M.Z.); (F.B.); (M.K.); (E.-D.L.)
| | - Marcela Mihai
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (M.-M.Z.); (F.B.); (M.K.); (E.-D.L.)
| | - Stergios Pispas
- Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (M.-M.Z.); (F.B.); (M.K.); (E.-D.L.)
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 116 35 Athens, Greece
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41
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Makri K, Pispas S. Block and Statistical Copolymers of Methacrylate Monomers with Dimethylamino and Diisopropylamino Groups on the Side Chains: Synthesis, Chemical Modification and Self-Assembly in Aqueous Media. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1284. [PMID: 38732753 PMCID: PMC11085793 DOI: 10.3390/polym16091284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of amphiphilic diblock and statistical (random) copolymers of poly(dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate) and poly((2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate) using the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization technique (RAFT polymerization) is reported. The precursor copolymers were chemically modified to create derivative copolymers of polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte nature with novel solution properties. Moreover, their molecular and physicochemical characteristics, as well as their self-assembly in aqueous media as a function of molecular architecture and composition, are investigated by using size exclusion chromatography, spectroscopic characterization techniques and light scattering techniques. Furthermore, the behavior and properties of the obtained micelles and aggregates were studied, depending on the pH, temperature and ionic strength of the aqueous solutions. The response of the systems to changes in these parameters shows interesting behavior and new properties that are useful for their utilization as nanocarriers of pharmaceutical compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stergios Pispas
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece;
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42
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Skandalis A, Sentoukas T, Selianitis D, Balafouti A, Pispas S. Using RAFT Polymerization Methodologies to Create Branched and Nanogel-Type Copolymers. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1947. [PMID: 38730753 PMCID: PMC11084462 DOI: 10.3390/ma17091947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
This review aims to highlight the most recent advances in the field of the synthesis of branched copolymers and nanogels using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. RAFT polymerization is a reversible deactivation radical polymerization technique (RDRP) that has gained tremendous attention due to its versatility, compatibility with a plethora of functional monomers, and mild polymerization conditions. These parameters lead to final polymers with good control over the molar mass and narrow molar mass distributions. Branched polymers can be defined as the incorporation of secondary polymer chains to a primary backbone, resulting in a wide range of complex macromolecular architectures, like star-shaped, graft, and hyperbranched polymers and nanogels. These subcategories will be discussed in detail in this review in terms of synthesis routes and properties, mainly in solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Skandalis
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Theodore Sentoukas
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 M. Curie-Sklodowska Street, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Dimitrios Selianitis
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Anastasia Balafouti
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Stergios Pispas
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (A.B.)
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43
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Murphy E, Zhang C, Bates CM, Hawker CJ. Chromatographic Separation: A Versatile Strategy to Prepare Discrete and Well-Defined Polymer Libraries. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:1202-1213. [PMID: 38530881 PMCID: PMC11025024 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusThe preparation of discrete and well-defined polymers is an emerging strategy for emulating the remarkable precision achieved by macromolecular synthesis in nature. Although modern controlled polymerization techniques have unlocked access to a cornucopia of materials spanning a broad range of monomers, molecular weights, and architectures, the word "controlled" is not to be confused with "perfect". Indeed, even the highest-fidelity polymerization techniques─yielding molar mass dispersities in the vicinity of Đ = 1.05─unavoidably create a considerable degree of structural and/or compositional dispersity due to the statistical nature of chain growth. Such dispersity impacts many of the properties that researchers seek to control in the design of soft materials.The development of strategies to minimize or entirely eliminate dispersity and access molecularly precise polymers therefore remains a key contemporary challenge. While significant advances have been made in the realm of iterative synthetic methods that construct oligomers with an exact molecular weight, head-to-tail connectivity, and even stereochemistry via small-molecule organic chemistry, as the word "iterative" suggests, these techniques involve manually propagating monomers one reaction at a time, often with intervening protection and deprotection steps. As a result, these strategies are time-consuming, difficult to scale, and remain limited to lower molecular weights. The focus of this Account is on an alternative strategy that is more accessible to the general scientific community because of its simplicity, versatility, and affordability: chromatography. Researchers unfamiliar with the intricacies of synthesis may recall being exposed to chromatography in an undergraduate chemistry lab. This operationally simple, yet remarkably powerful, technique is most commonly encountered in the purification of small molecules through their selective (differential) adsorption to a column packed with a low-cost stationary phase, usually silica. Because the requisite equipment is readily available and the actual separation takes little time (on the order of 1 h), chromatography is used extensively in small-molecule chemistry throughout industry and academia alike. It is, therefore, perhaps surprising that similar types of chromatography are not more widely leveraged in the field of polymer science as well.Here, we discuss recent advances in using chromatography to control the structure and properties of polymeric materials. Emphasis is placed on the utility of an adsorption-based mechanism that separates polymers based on polarity and composition at tractable (gram) scales for materials science, in contrast to size exclusion, which is extremely common but typically analyzes very small quantities of a sample (∼1 mg) and is limited to separating by molar mass. Key concepts that are highlighted include (1) the separation of low-molecular-weight homopolymers into discrete oligomers (Đ = 1.0) with precise chain lengths and (2) the efficient fractionation of block copolymers into high-quality and widely varied libraries for accelerating materials discovery. In summary, the authors hope to convey the exciting possibilities in polymer science afforded by chromatography as a scalable, versatile, and even automated technique that unlocks new avenues of exploration into well-defined materials for a diverse assortment of researchers with different training and expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth
A. Murphy
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Centre for Advanced
Imaging University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Christopher M. Bates
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Craig J. Hawker
- Materials
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Chemical
Engineering, andMaterials Department, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
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44
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Mapfumo PP, Reichel LS, Hoeppener S, Traeger A. Improving Gene Delivery: Synergy between Alkyl Chain Length and Lipoic Acid for PDMAEMA Hydrophobic Copolymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2300649. [PMID: 38195002 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
In the field of gene delivery, hydrophobic cationic copolymers hold great promise. They exhibit improved performance by effectively protecting genetic material from serum interactions while facilitating interactions with cellular membranes. However, managing cytotoxicity remains a significant challenge, prompting an investigation into suitable hydrophobic components. A particularly encouraging approach involves integrating nutrient components, like lipoic acid, which is known for its antioxidant properties and diverse cellular benefits such as cellular metabolism and growth. In this study, a copolymer library comprising 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and lipoic acid methacrylate (LAMA), combined with either n-butyl methacrylate (nBMA), ethyl methacrylate (EMA), or methyl methacrylate (MMA), is synthesized. This enables to probe the impact of lipoic acid incorporation while simultaneously exploring the influence of pendant acyclic alkyl chain length. The inclusion of lipoic acid results in a notable boost in transfection efficiency while maintaining low cytotoxicity. Interestingly, higher levels of transfection efficiency are achieved in the presence of nBMA, EMA, or MMA. However, a positive correlation between pendant acyclic alkyl chain length and cytotoxicity is observed. Consequently, P(DMAEMA-co-LAMA-co-MMA), emerges as a promising candidate. This is attributed to the optimal combination of low cytotoxic MMA and transfection-boosting LAMA, highlighting the crucial synergy between LAMA and MMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper P Mapfumo
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Liên S Reichel
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Stephanie Hoeppener
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Traeger
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstrasse 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
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45
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Lee J, Soares G, Doty C, Park J, Hovey J, Schrader A, Han HS. Versatile Prepolymer Platform for Controlled Tailoring of Quantum Dot Surface Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:15202-15214. [PMID: 38470982 PMCID: PMC11070902 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) hold immense promise for bioimaging, yet technical challenges in surface engineering limit their wider scientific use. We introduce poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (PPFPA) as a user-friendly prepolymer platform for creating precisely controlled multidentate polymeric ligands for QD surface engineering, accessible to researchers without extensive synthetic expertise. PPFPA combines the benefits of both bottom-up and prepolymer approaches, offering minimal susceptibility to hydrolysis and side reactions for controlled chemical composition, along with simple synthetic procedures using commercially available reagents. Live cell imaging experiments highlighted a significant reduction in nonspecific binding when employing PPFPA, owing to its minimal hydrolysis, in contrast to ligands synthesized by using a conventional prepolymer prone to uncontrolled hydrolysis. This observation underscores the distinct advantage of our prepolymer system. Leveraging PPFPA, we synthesized biomolecule-conjugated QDs and performed QD-based immunofluorescence to detect a cytosolic protein. To effectively label cytosolic targets in such a dense and complex environment, probes must exhibit minimal nonspecific binding and be compact. As a result, QD-immunofluorescence has focused primarily on cell surface targets. By creating compact QD-F(ab')2, we sensitively detected alpha-tubulin with a ∼50-fold higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to organic dye-based labeling. PPFPA represents a versatile and accessible platform for tailoring QD surfaces, offering a pathway to realize the full potential of colloidal QDs in various scientific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- JuYeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- School of Biological and Environmental Studies, Millikin University, 1184 W. Main Street, Decatur, Illinois 62522, United States
| | - Giselle Soares
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Calvin Doty
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Joonhyuck Park
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, South Korea
| | - Jack Hovey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Alex Schrader
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Hee-Sun Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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46
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Mountaki SA, Whitfield R, Parkatzidis K, Antonopoulou MN, Truong NP, Anastasaki A. Chemical recycling of bromine-terminated polymers synthesized by ATRP. RSC APPLIED POLYMERS 2024; 2:275-283. [PMID: 38525379 PMCID: PMC10955525 DOI: 10.1039/d3lp00279a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Chemical recycling of polymers is one of the biggest challenges in materials science. Recently, remarkable achievements have been made by utilizing polymers prepared by controlled radical polymerization to trigger low-temperature depolymerization. However, in the case of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), depolymerization has nearly exclusively focused on chlorine-terminated polymers, even though the overwhelming majority of polymeric materials synthesized with this method possess a bromine end-group. Herein, we report an efficient depolymerization strategy for bromine-terminated polymethacrylates which employs an inexpensive and environmentally friendly iron catalyst (FeBr2/L). The effect of various solvents and the concentration of metal salt and ligand on the depolymerization are judiciously explored and optimized, allowing for a depolymerization efficiency of up to 86% to be achieved in just 3 minutes. Notably, the versatility of this depolymerization is exemplified by its compatibility with chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents, and both Fe(ii) and Fe(iii) salts. This work significantly expands the scope of ATRP materials compatible with depolymerization and creates many future opportunities in applications where the depolymerization of bromine-terminated polymers is desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Afroditi Mountaki
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Richard Whitfield
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Kostas Parkatzidis
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Maria-Nefeli Antonopoulou
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Nghia P Truong
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Athina Anastasaki
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 8093 Zurich Switzerland
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47
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Wang Y, Du J, Huang H. Reversible Thiyl Radical Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318898. [PMID: 38284482 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Developing reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) methods that could directly control the thiyl radical propagation is highly desirable yet remains challenging in modern polymer chemistry. Here, we reported the first reversible thiyl radical addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SRAFT) polymerization strategy, which utilizes allyl sulfides as chain transfer agents for reversibly deactivating the propagating thiyl radicals, thus allowing us to directly control a challenging thiyl radical chain polymerization to afford polymers with well-defined architectures. A linear dependence of molecular weight on conversion, high chain-end fidelity, and efficient chain extension proved good controllability of the polymerization. In addition, density functional theory calculations provided insight into the reversible deactivation ability of allyl sulfides. The SRAFT strategy developed in this work represents a promising platform for discovering new controlled polymerizations based on thiyl radical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jiaman Du
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hanchu Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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48
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Mondal A, Pal A, Sarkar S, Datta R, De P. Antioxidant Polymers with Phenolic Pendants for the Mitigation of Cellular Oxidative Stress. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:1649-1659. [PMID: 38331427 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells is a major health concern as it may lead to various diseases through oxidative damage of biomolecules. Commonly used traditional small molecular antioxidants (polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, etc.) have inadequate efficacy in lowering excessive levels of ROS due to their poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability. In response to the widespread occurrence of antioxidant polyphenols in various biorenewable resources, we aimed to develop water-soluble antioxidant polymers with side chain phenolic pendants. Four different types of copolymers (P1-P4) containing phenyl rings with different numbers of hydroxy (-OH) substituents (0: phenylalanine, 1: tyrosyl, 2: catechol, or 3: gallol) were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with a desired molar mass (8500-10000 g/mol) and a narrow dispersity (Đ ≤ 1.3). After successful characterizations of P1-P4, their in vitro antioxidant properties were analyzed by different methods, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+), 4,4'-diamino-3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbiphenyl (TMB), and β-carotene (βC) assays. Our results revealed that the gallol pendant polymers can effectively scavenge ROS. Furthermore, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy with DPPH• also confirmed the radical quenching ability of the synthesized polymers. The gallol pendant polymers, at a well-tolerated concentration, could effectively penetrate the macrophage cells and restore the H2O2-induced ROS to the basal level. Overall, the present approach demonstrates the efficacy of water-soluble antioxidant polymers with gallol pendants toward the mitigation of cellular oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Subhasish Sarkar
- Department of General Surgery, College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kamarhati, Kolkata - 700058, West Bengal, India
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49
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Sajid I, Hassan A, Begum R, Zhou S, Irfan A, Chaudhry AR, Farooqi ZH. Yolk-shell smart polymer microgels and their hybrids: fundamentals and applications. RSC Adv 2024; 14:8409-8433. [PMID: 38476178 PMCID: PMC10929002 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra00035h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Yolk-shell microgels and their hybrids have attained great importance in modern-day research owing to their captivating features and potential uses. This manuscript provides the strategies for preparation, classification, properties and current applications of yolk-shell microgels and their hybrids. Some of the yolk-shell microgels and their hybrids are identified as smart polymer yolk-shell microgels and smart hybrid microgels, respectively, as they react to changes in particular environmental stimuli such as pH, temperature and ionic strength of the medium. This unique behavior makes them a perfect candidate for utilization in drug delivery, selective catalysis, adsorption of metal ions, nanoreactors and many other fields. This review demonstrates the contemporary progress along with suggestions and future perspectives for further research in this specific field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqra Sajid
- School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab New Campus Lahore 54590 Pakistan +92-42-9231269 +92-42-9230463 ext. 817
| | - Ahmad Hassan
- School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab New Campus Lahore 54590 Pakistan +92-42-9231269 +92-42-9230463 ext. 817
| | - Robina Begum
- School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab New Campus Lahore 54590 Pakistan +92-42-9231269 +92-42-9230463 ext. 817
| | - Shuiqin Zhou
- Department of Chemistry of The College of Staten Island, PhD Program in Chemistry of The Graduate Centre, The City University of New York 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10314 USA
| | - Ahmad Irfan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University P. O. Box 9004 Abha 61413 Saudi Arabia
| | - Aijaz Rasool Chaudhry
- Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Bisha P. O. Box 551, Bisha 61922 Saudi Arabia
| | - Zahoor H Farooqi
- School of Chemistry, University of the Punjab New Campus Lahore 54590 Pakistan +92-42-9231269 +92-42-9230463 ext. 817
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50
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Pan X, Li J, Li Z, Li Q, Pan X, Zhang Z, Zhu J. Tuning the Mechanical Properties of 3D-printed Objects by the RAFT Process: From Chain-Growth to Step-Growth. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318564. [PMID: 38230985 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Photoinduced 3D printing based on the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process has emerged as a robust method for creating diverse functional materials. However, achieving precise control over the mechanical properties of these printed objects remains a critical challenge for practical application. Here, we demonstrated a RAFT step-growth polymerization of a bifunctional xanthate and bifunctional vinyl acetate. Additionally, we demonstrated photoinduced 3D printing through RAFT step-growth polymerization with a tetrafunctional xanthate and a bifunctional vinyl acetate. By adjusting the molar ratio of the components in the printing resins, we finely tuned the polymerization mechanism from step-growth to chain-growth. This adjustment resulted in a remarkable range of tunable Young's moduli, ranging from 7.6 MPa to 997.1 MPa. Moreover, post-functionalization and polymer welding of the printed objects with varying mechanical properties opens up a promising way to produce tailor-made materials with specific and tunable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Pan
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jiajia Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qing Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xiangqiang Pan
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhengbiao Zhang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jian Zhu
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
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