Synthesis of Highly Monodisperse Surface-Functional Microspheres by Photoinitiated RAFT Dispersion Polymerization Using Macro-RAFT Agents

Stimuli-Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles Based on Mussel-Inspired Metal-Coordinated Supramolecular Networks

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers containing dopamine and zwitterions are synthesized via the RAFT polymerization method, which undergo temperature-mediated micellization in aqueous media. The presence of catechol moiety in dopamine is exploited to form pH-responsive cross-links with ferric ions (Fe³⁺ ) at different pH value. Herein, a comprehensive study of the effect of pH as well as temperature on the size and solution behavior of these cross-linked micelles is presented. These micelles cross-linked via metal-catechol coordination bonds can have several important biomedical applications such as degradable scaffolds for payload delivery.

Polymerization techniques in polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA)

The development of controlled/“living” polymerization greatly stimulated the prosperity of the fabrication and application of block copolymer nano-objects.

Photoregulated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

Different strategies on photoregulated RAFT polymerization are developed. This minireview summarizes recent advances in photoregulated RAFT polymerization and its applications.

Blue LED light-activated RAFT polymerization of PEG acrylate with high chain-end fidelity for efficient PEGylation

Well-defined PPEGAs with high chain-end fidelity are synthesized through blue LED light-initiated RAFT, with their efficient PEGylation potential highlighted.

Monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres with tunable carboxyl groups on the surface obtained by photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization

Monodisperse polymeric microspheres with tunable carboxy groups on the surface are prepared by photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization using binary mixtures of two macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTAs).

Recent advances in RAFT-mediated surfactant-free emulsion polymerization

We summarized the RAFT-mediated surfactant-free emulsion polymerization using various RAFT agents and the polymerization types for the preparation of organic/inorganic hybrid materials.

Carboxyl-Functionalized Polymeric Microspheres Prepared by One-Stage Photoinitiated RAFT Dispersion Polymerization

Herein, we report a photoinitiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl methacrylic (MAA) for the preparation of highly monodisperse carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres. High rates of polymerization were observed, with more than 90% particle yields being achieved within 3 h of UV irradiation. Effects of reaction parameters (e.g., MAA concentration, RAFT agent concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and solvent composition) were studied in detail, and highly monodisperse polymeric microspheres were obtained in most cases. Finally, silver (Ag) composite microspheres were prepared by in situ reduction of AgNO₃ using the carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres as the template. The obtained Ag composite microspheres were able to catalyze the reduction of methylene blue (MB) with NaBH₄ as a reductant.

Photoinitiated Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (Photo-PISA): New Insights and Opportunities

The polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) process is a useful synthetic tool for the efficient synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles of different morphologies. Recently, studies on visible light initiated PISA processes have offered a number of key research opportunities that are not readily accessible using traditional thermally initiated systems. For example, visible light mediated PISA (Photo-PISA) enables a high degree of control over the dispersion polymerization process by manipulation of the wavelength and intensity of incident light. In some cases, the final nanoparticle morphology of a single formulation can be modulated by simple manipulation of these externally controlled parameters. In addition, temporal (and in principle spatial) control over the Photo-PISA process can be achieved in most cases. Exploitation of the mild room temperature polymerizations conditions can enable the encapsulation of thermally sensitive therapeutics to occur without compromising the polymerization rate and their activities. Finally, the Photo-PISA process can enable further mechanistic insights into the morphological evolution of nanoparticle formation such as the effects of temperature on the self-assembly process. The purpose of this mini-review is therefore to examine some of these recent advances that have been made in Photo-PISA processes, particularly in light of the specific advantages that may exist in comparison with conventional thermally initiated systems.

Room temperature synthesis of poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-based diblock copolymer nano-objects via Photoinitiated Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (Photo-PISA)

A remarkably diverse set of complex polymer nanoparticle morphologies have been prepared by photoinitiated polymerization-induced self-assembly (photo-PISA) at room temperature.

Fluorescent core–shell nanoparticles and nanocapsules using comb-like macromolecular RAFT agents: synthesis and functionalization thereof

Ultra-bright fluorescent nanoparticles with comb-like shells based on PEG and acrylic acid were obtained in water using an additive-free miniemulsion polymerization process.

Atom transfer radical polymerization to fabricate monodisperse poly[glycidyl methacrylate-co-poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate] microspheres and its application for protein affinity purification

Poly[glycidyl methacrylate-co-poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate] microspheres for the first time were successfully synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method at room temperature. The co-polymerization approach was investigated to delicately control the microsphere morphology and size-distribution by reaction conditions including solvent percentage, monomer loading and rotation speed. The results show that the average size of the microspheres is ∼5.7 μm with coexistence of epoxy, hydroxyl and ether groups, which provide plentiful functional sites for protein anchoring. The mechanism of the microsphere formation is proposed. The microsphere successfully demonstrates its unique application for affinity purification of proteins, in which the functional epoxy group facilitates a simple and efficient protein covalent immobilization to purify immunoglobulin G on the microspheres, while the hydrophilic poly (ethylene glycol) motif can repulse nonspecific protein adsorption for good specificity. This microspheres can be used in broad protein biosensors due to their abundant functional groups and high surface to volume ratio.

Guidelines for the Synthesis of Block Copolymer Particles of Various Morphologies by RAFT Dispersion Polymerization

This article presents the recent developments of radical dispersion polymerizaton controlled by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) for the production of block copolymer particles of various morphologies, such as core-shell spheres, worms, or vesicles. It is not meant to be an exhaustive review but it rather provides guidelines for non-specialists. The article is subdivided into eight sections. After a general introduction, the mechanism of polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) through RAFT-mediated dispersion polymerization is presented and the different parameters that control the morphology produced are discussed. The next two sections are devoted to the choice of the monomer/solvent pair and the macroRAFT agent. Afterwards, post-polymerization morphological order-to-order transitions (i.e. morphological transitions triggered by extrinsic stimuli) or order-to-disorder transitions (i.e. disassembly of chains) are discussed. Assemblies based on more complex polymer architectures, such as triblock copolymers, are presented next, and finally the possibility to stabilize these structures by crosslinking is reported. The manuscript ends with a short conclusion and an outlook.

Ligand–metal-drug coordination based micelles for efficient intracellular doxorubicin delivery

A ligand–metal-drug coordination architecture is exploited to construct polymeric micelles with the high efficient loading and pH-triggered release of anticancer drug.

Fast and facile one-step synthesis of monodisperse thermo-responsive core–shell microspheres and applications

Highly monodisperse PMMA microspheres covered with a thermo-responsive shell were synthesized in a single step by means of photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization at room temperature.