Consecutive Morphological Transitions in Nanoaggregates Assembled from Amphiphilic Random Copolymer via Water-Driven Micellization and Light-Triggered Dissociation

Molecular Weight-Independent "Polysoap" Nanostructure Characterized via In Situ Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering

Studying polymer micelle structure and loading dynamics under environmental conditions is critical for nanocarrier applications but challenging due to a lack of in situ nanoprobes. Here, the structure and loading of amphiphilic polyelectrolyte copolymer micelles, formed by 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and n-dodecyl acrylamide (DDAM), were investigated using a multimodal approach centered around in situ resonant soft X-ray scattering (RSoXS). We observe aqueous micelles formed from polymers of wide-ranging molecular weights and aqueous concentrations. Despite no measurable critical micelle concentration (CMC), structural analyses point toward multimeric structures for most molecular weights, with the lowest molecular weight micelles containing mixed coronas and forming loose micelle clusters that enhance hydrocarbon uptake. The sizes of the micelle substructures are independent of both the concentration and molecular weight. Combining these results with a measured molecular weight-invariant surface charge and zeta potential strengthens the link between the nanoparticle size and ionic charge in solution that governs the polysoap micelle structure. Such control would be critical for nanocarrier applications, such as drug delivery and water remediation.

Solution and Solid-State Behavior of Amphiphilic ABA Triblock Copolymers of Poly(acrylic acid-stat-styrene)-block-poly(butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid-stat-styrene)

A combination of statistical and triblock copolymer properties is explored to produce stable aqueous polymer dispersions suitable for the film formation. In order to perform an extensive structural characterization of the products in the dissolved, dispersed, and solid states, a wide range of symmetrical poly(acrylic acid-stat-styrene)_x-block-poly(butyl acrylate)_y-block-poly(acrylic acid-stat-styrene)_x, poly(AA-st-St)_x-b-PBA_y-b-poly(AA-st-St)_x, (x = 56, 108 and 140, y = 100–750; the AA:St molar ratio is 42:58) triblock copolymers were synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) solution polymerization using a bifunctional symmetrical RAFT agent. It is demonstrated that the amphiphilic statistical outer blocks can provide sufficient stabilization to largely hydrophobic particles in aqueous dispersions. Such a molecular design provides an advantage over copolymers composed only of homoblocks, as a simple variation of the statistical block component ratio provides an efficient way to control the hydrophilicity of the stabilizer block, which ultimately affects the copolymer morphology in solutions and solid films. It was found by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) that the copolymers behaved as dissolved chains in methylethylketone (MEK) but self-assembled in water into stable and well-defined spherical particles that increased in size with the length of the hydrophobic PBA block. These particles possessed an additional particulate surface structure formed by the statistical copolymer stabilizer block, which self-folded through the hydrophobic interactions between the styrene units. SAXS and atomic force microscopy showed that the copolymer films cast from the MEK solutions formed structures predicted by self-consistent field theory for symmetrical triblock copolymers, while the aqueous dispersions formed structural morphologies similar to a close-packed spheres, as would be expected for copolymer particles trapped kinetically due to the restricted movement of the blocks in the initial aqueous dispersion. A strong correlation between the structural morphology and mechanical properties of the films was observed. It was found that the properties of the solvent cast films were highly dependent on the ratios of the hard [poly(AA-st-St)] and soft (PBA) blocks, while the aqueous cast films did not show such a dependence. The continuous phase of hard blocks, always formed in the case of the aqueous cast films, produced films with a higher elastic modulus and a lower extension-to-break in a comparison with the solvent-cast films.

Light-Triggered Polymersome-Based Anticancer Therapeutics Delivery

Polymersomes are biomimetic cell membrane-like model structures that are self-assembled stepwise from amphiphilic copolymers. These polymeric (nano)carriers have gained the scientific community's attention due to their biocompatibility, versatility, and higher stability than liposomes. Their tunable properties, such as composition, size, shape, and surface functional groups, extend encapsulation possibilities to either hydrophilic or hydrophobic cargoes (or both) and their site-specific delivery. Besides, polymersomes can disassemble in response to different stimuli, including light, for controlling the "on-demand" release of cargo that may also respond to light as photosensitizers and plasmonic nanostructures. Thus, polymersomes can be spatiotemporally stimulated by light of a wide wavelength range, whose exogenous response may activate light-stimulable moieties, enhance the drug efficacy, decrease side effects, and, thus, be broadly employed in photoinduced therapy. This review describes current light-responsive polymersomes evaluated for anticancer therapy. It includes light-activable moieties' features and polymersomes' composition and release behavior, focusing on recent advances and applications in cancer therapy, current trends, and photosensitive polymersomes' perspectives.

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

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

Toward enzyme-responsive polymersome drug delivery

In drug delivery, enzyme-responsive drug carriers are becoming increasingly relevant because of the growing association of disease pathology with enzyme overexpression. Polymersomes are of interest to such applications because of their tunable properties. While polymersomes open up a wide range of chemical and physical properties to explore, they also present a challenge in developing generalized rules for the synthesis of novel systems. Motivated by this issue, in this perspective, we summarize the existing knowledge on enzyme-responsive polymersomes and outline the main design choices. Then, we propose heuristics to guide the design of novel systems. Finally, we discuss the potential of an integrated approach using computer simulations and experimental studies to streamline this design process and close the existing knowledge gaps.

Control of Particle Size in the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Statistical Copolymers

A range of amphiphilic statistical copolymers is synthesized where the hydrophilic component is either methacrylic acid (MAA) or 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and the hydrophobic component comprises methyl, ethyl, butyl, hexyl, or 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, which provide a broad range of partition coefficients (log P). Small-angle X-ray scattering studies confirm that these amphiphilic copolymers self-assemble to form well-defined spherical nanoparticles in an aqueous solution, with more hydrophobic copolymers forming larger nanoparticles. Varying the nature of the alkyl substituent also influenced self-assembly with more hydrophobic comonomers producing larger nanoparticles at a given copolymer composition. A model based on particle surface charge density (PSC model) is used to describe the relationship between copolymer composition and nanoparticle size. This model assumes that the hydrophilic monomer is preferentially located at the particle surface and provides a good fit to all of the experimental data. More specifically, a linear relationship is observed between the surface area fraction covered by the hydrophilic comonomer required to achieve stabilization and the log P value for the hydrophobic comonomer. Contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering is used to study the internal structure of these nanoparticles. This technique indicates partial phase separation within the nanoparticles, with about half of the available hydrophilic comonomer repeat units being located at the surface and hydrophobic comonomer-rich cores. This information enables a refined PSC model to be developed, which indicates the same relationship between the surface area fraction of the hydrophilic comonomer and the log P of the hydrophobic comonomer repeat units for the anionic (MAA) and cationic (DMAEMA) comonomer systems. This study demonstrates how nanoparticle size can be readily controlled and predicted using relatively ill-defined statistical copolymers, making such systems a viable attractive alternative to diblock copolymer nanoparticles for a range of industrial applications.

Novel Temperature/Reduction Dual-Stimulus Responsive Triblock Copolymer [P(MEO2MA-co- OEGMA)-b-PLLA-SS-PLLA-b-P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA)] via a Combination of ROP and ATRP: Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Self-Assembled Micelles

Novel temperature/reduction dual stimulus-responsive triblock copolymers, poly [2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate]-b-(L-polylactic acid)-SS-b-(L-polylactic acid)-b-poly[2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate] [P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA)-b-PLLA-SS-PLLA-b-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA)] (SPMO), were synthesized by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide and 2,2’-dithio diethanol (SS-DOH), and random copolymerization of MEO₂MA and OEGMA monomers via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technology. The chemical structures and compositions of the novel copolymers were demonstrated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The molecular weights of the novel copolymers were measured by size exclusive chromatography (SEC) and proved to have a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution coefficient (ÐM ≤ 1.50). The water solubility and transmittance of the novel copolymers were tested via visual observation and UV–Vis spectroscopy, which proved the SPMO had a good hydrophilicity and suitable low critical solution temperature (LCST). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the novel polymeric micelles were determined using surface tension method and fluorescent probe technology. The particle size and morphology of the novel polymeric micelles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The sol–gel transition behavior of the novel copolymers was studied via vial flip experiments. Finally, the hydrophobic anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was used to study the in vitro release behavior of the novel drug-loaded micelles. The results show that the novel polymeric micelles are expected to become a favorable drug carrier. In addition, they exhibit reductive responsiveness to the small molecule reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) and temperature responsiveness with temperature changes.

Flower Necklaces of Controllable Length Formed From N-(2-Hydroxypropyl) Methacrylamide-Based Amphiphilic Statistical Copolymers

N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based statistical copolymers bearing anticancer drugs have attracted attention for their efficacy in cancer treatments. However, controlling the size and morphology of aggregates of this type of polymer has been challenging and is far from being understood. In this study, small-angle X-ray scattering and asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation with multiangle light scattering were used to investigate the structure of aggregates formed in aqueous solutions of HPMA-based statistical copolymers of different molecular weights with the model drug pyrene borne in different amounts. The analysis revealed that spherical objects (flower micelles) were formed by the assembly of pyrene moieties in low-molecular-weight copolymers, and the flower micelles connected linearly to form string-of-pearls assemblies (flower necklaces) in high-molecular-weight copolymers. The number of pyrene moieties per polymer chain likely dominates the size and morphology of the copolymer micelles. This study shows how to alter the aggregate structure by changing the molecular weight and composition of copolymers.

Polynorepinephrine Nanoparticles: A Novel Photothermal Nanoagent for Chemo-Photothermal Cancer Therapy

Novel photothermal nanoagents (PTNAs) with excellent photothermal performance, smart-responsive property, and biocompatibility are in urgent need for precise chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. Herein, polynorepinephrine nanoparticles (PNE NPs) with a high photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of 808 nm laser (67%), pH/thermal responsibility, and little to no long-term toxicity were synthesized from an endogenic neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Compared to their analogues, polydopamine NPs, a widely used PTNA, PNE NPs exhibited a higher η value (enhanced 1.63-fold) and better cellular uptake efficiency (enhanced 2.57-fold). After modifying with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and loading with doxorubicin (DOX), PNE-PEG@DOX could realize responsive release of DOX under either a cytolysosome pH microenvironment (pH 5.0) or an 808 nm laser irradiation, resulting in an enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy of DOX. Besides, in vivo combination therapy leads to nearly complete ablation of tumor tissues, while no significant side effects were found in normal tissues. Hence, this intelligent and biocompatible nanoplatform based on PNE NPs holds great potential in promoting the clinic transformation of precise chemo-photothermal cancer therapy.

Melamine-mediated supramolecular assembly of nucleobase-modified poly(l-lysine)

Melamine (M) was used to drive the supramolecular assembly of thymine (T)-modified poly(l-lysine) into fibers or spherical micelles through simply adjusting the substitution degree of T and the concentration of M.

Effect of chain microstructure on self-assembly and emulsification of amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)-polystyrene copolymers

In this study, a series of random copolymer poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene) (P(AA-co-St)) and block copolymer poly(acrylic acid)-b-polystyrene (PAA-b-PSt) with similar chemical composition but different chain microstructure were synthesized. The self-assembly behavior of random and block copolymers in selective solvent was investigated, and the structural evaluation of random and block copolymers micelles was carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, together with experimental characterization, the theoretical method dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) approach was applied to investigate the morphological structures of micelles composed from random and block copolymers. Results revealed that the structure of polymeric micelles is significantly affected by the distribution sequence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers in copolymer chains. Furthermore, polymeric micelles based on P(AA-co-St) and PAA-b-PSt with about 50 mol% hydrophilic composition were chosen as the model to investigate the influence of micellar structure on emulsifying performance. For PAA-b-PSt micelles (B48), stable water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions could only obtained when the pH values were lower than 5. As a comparison, the P(AA-co-St) micelles (R49) had an excellent emulsification performance at 4-10 pH, and the pH-induced phase inversion derived from obtained emulsions observed at pH higher than 6. Preliminary results confirm that the micellar structure controlled by chain microstructure plays an important role in the interface behavior of polymer micelles. Compared with PAA-b-PSt micelles, P(AA-co-St) micelles have better interfacial performance and are more tailorable and controllable; thus they can be used as a model for further study of polymeric particulate emulsifiers. This paper provides new insight into the principles governing extremely high emulsifying efficiency of polymeric particulate emulsifiers and pH-responsive properties of the formed emulsions.

Theory of the Flower Micelle Formation of Amphiphilic Random and Periodic Copolymers in Solution

The mixing Gibbs energy Δg_m for the flower-micelle phase of amphiphilic random and periodic (including alternating) copolymers was formulated on the basis of the lattice model. The formulated Δg_m predicts (1) the inverse proportionality of the aggregation number to the degree of polymerization of the copolymer, (2) the increase of the critical micelle concentration with decreasing the hydrophobe content, and (3) the crossover from the micellization to the liquid⁻liquid phase separation as the hydrophobe content increases. The transition from the uni-core flower micelle to the multi-core flower necklace as the degree of polymerization increases was also implicitly indicated by the theory. These theoretical results were compared with experimental results for amphiphilic random and alternating copolymers reported so far.

Alternative Route to Nanoscale Aggregates with a pH-Responsive Random Copolymer

A random copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (poly(MMA-co-DMAEMA)) is shown to form nanoscale aggregates (NAs) (∼20 nm) at copolymer concentrations ≥10% w/w, directly from the preformed surfactant-stabilized latex (∼120 nm) in aqueous solution. The copolymer is prepared by conventional emulsion polymerization. Introducing a small mole fraction of DMAEMA (∼10%) allows the copolymer hydrophilicity to be adjusted by the pH and external temperature, generating NAs with tuneable sizes and a defined weight-average aggregation number, as observed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). These NAs are different from the so-called mesoglobular systems and are insensitive to temperature at fixed pH. The relatively broad chemical composition distribution of the copolymer and lumpy (or blocky but not diblock) incorporation of DMAEMA mean that the NAs cannot be simply thought of as conventional polymer micelles. In the acidic pH regime, the amphiphilic copolymer exhibits a defined critical assembly concentration (CAC) and a minimum air-water surface tension of 45.2 mN m^-1. This copolymer represents a convenient route to self-assembled NAs, which form directly in aqueous dispersions after pH and temperature triggers, rather than the typically applied (and time-consuming) water-induced micellization approach for common polymer micelles.

Molecularly imprinted nanohybrids based on dopamine-modified poly(γ-glutamic acid) for electrochemical sensing of melamine

A voltammetric sensor for melamine (MEL) was prepared from molecularly imprinted nanohybrids (MINBs). A dopamine modified poly-γ-glutamic acid copolymer (γ-PGA-DA) and MEL were self-assembled into MEL/γ-PGA-DA nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous solution via weak interactions, followed by adding an aqueous AgNO3 solution into the mixture. The Ag(+) was adsorbed in the MEL/γ-PGA-DA NPs and spontaneously reduced to Ag NPs by the dopamine moieties of γ-PGA-DA, forming Ag/MEL/γ-PGA-DA MINBs, which were then cast on a gold electrode to form a MINBs film. The MEL was removed by electrolysis via catalysis of Ag NPs at a constant potential of 1.4V in phosphate buffer saline solution, to obtain a voltammetric sensor for MEL. The sensor responded linearly to MEL in the concentration range of 5×10(-18) to 5×10(-7)molL(-1). Compared to other published molecularly imprinted polymer sensors for sensing MEL, the prepared MINBs sensor had much wider detection range with lower detection limit.

Smart micro/nanoparticles in stimulus-responsive drug/gene delivery systems

New achievements in the realm of nanoscience and innovative techniques of nanomedicine have moved micro/nanoparticles (MNPs) to the point of becoming actually useful for practical applications in the near future. Various differences between the extracellular and intracellular environments of cancerous and normal cells and the particular characteristics of tumors such as physicochemical properties, neovasculature, elasticity, surface electrical charge, and pH have motivated the design and fabrication of inventive "smart" MNPs for stimulus-responsive controlled drug release. These novel MNPs can be tailored to be responsive to pH variations, redox potential, enzymatic activation, thermal gradients, magnetic fields, light, and ultrasound (US), or can even be responsive to dual or multi-combinations of different stimuli. This unparalleled capability has increased their importance as site-specific controlled drug delivery systems (DDSs) and has encouraged their rapid development in recent years. An in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these DDS approaches is expected to further contribute to this groundbreaking field of nanomedicine. Smart nanocarriers in the form of MNPs that can be triggered by internal or external stimulus are summarized and discussed in the present review, including pH-sensitive peptides and polymers, redox-responsive micelles and nanogels, thermo- or magnetic-responsive nanoparticles (NPs), mechanical- or electrical-responsive MNPs, light or ultrasound-sensitive particles, and multi-responsive MNPs including dual stimuli-sensitive nanosheets of graphene. This review highlights the recent advances of smart MNPs categorized according to their activation stimulus (physical, chemical, or biological) and looks forward to future pharmaceutical applications.

Block versus Random Amphiphilic Glycopolymer Nanopaticles as Glucose-Responsive Vehicles

To explore the effect of polymer structure on their self-assembled aggregates and their unique characteristics, this study was devoted to developing a series of amphiphilic block and random phenylboronic acid-based glycopolymers by RAFT polymerization. The amphiphilic glycopolymers were successfully self-assembled into spherically shaped nanoparticles with narrow size distribution in aqueous solution. For block and random copolymers with similar monomer compositions, block copolymer nanoparticles exhibited a more regular transmittance change with the increasing glucose level, while a more evident variation of size and quicker decreasing tendency in I/I0 behavior in different glucose media were observed for random copolymer nanoparticles. Cell viability of all the polymer nanoparticles investigated by MTT assay was higher than 80%, indicating that both block and random copolymers had good cytocompatibility. Insulin could be encapsulated into both nanoparticles, and insulin release rate for random glycopolymer was slightly quicker than that for the block ones. We speculate that different chain conformations between block and random glycopolymers play an important role in self-assembled nanoaggregates and underlying glucose-sensitive behavior.

Self-assembly and morphological transitions of random amphiphilic poly(β-D-glucose-co-1-octyl) phosphazenes

The amphiphilic random copolymer poly(β-d-glucose-co-1-octyl)phosphazene (PGOP) can undergo continuous morphological transitions in DMF-water mixed solvents. In this study, the ratio of glucose moieties to octyl moieties was controlled via a two-step thiol-ene reaction. As a result, polyphosphazenes with glycosyl functionalization degrees of 58.1% (PGOP-1), 74.1% (PGOP-2) and 87.0% (PGOP-3) were obtained. These amphiphilic polyphosphazenes self-assemble in both water and water-DMF mixtures. Several self-assembled morphologies including spheres, rods and vesicles were formed though careful control of the water content (WC) in the DMF solvent as well as of the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the copolymers. We also found that an increase in the hydrophobic proportion led to faster morphological transitions at a constant WC. The thermodynamics of micellization were also studied by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), and the strong hydrophobic interactions in PGOP-1 were demonstrated by their highly exothermic nature. These self-assemblies have potential applications in biosensing, lectin adsorption and drug loading with controlled release.

Rationally Engineering Dual Missions in One Statistical Copolymer Nanocapsule: Bacterial Inhibition and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Capturing

Effective inhibition of bacteria and removal of carcinogenic organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important technical challenges in water purification because most of the traditional filter membranes are prone to being biologically contaminated by bacteria and difficult to filter off PAHs. Herein we present the synthesis and characterization of a novel multifunctional nanocapsule (vesicle) based on a statistical copolymer, poly[[2-hydroxy-3-(naphthalen-1-ylamino)propyl methacrylate]-stat-[2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate]] [P(HNA₂₃-stat-TA₂₀)], which can be easily synthesized in one step. The TA moiety is engineered for effective bacterial inhibition, while the HNA moiety is in charge of the capturing of PAHs by π-π stacking. The nanocapsules can effectively inhibit bacteria and quickly reduce the pyrene content in water to an extremely low residual concentration of 5.6 (in 1 min) or 0.56 (in 60 min) parts per billion (ppb). Moreover, this rational engineering principle could be extended by statistically copolymerizing HNA with other functional monomers for designing a range of multifunctional nanomaterials.

Chemical encoding of amphiphilic copolymers for a dual controlled release from their assemblies

Amphiphilic random copolymers are designed to bear a corrosion inhibitor as cleavable side group, which can be released upon activation by chemical reduction.

Synthesis and self-assembly of partially sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s and their role in the formation of Cu2S nanowires

Partially sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s was synthesized by one-step S_NAr copolymerization and self-assembled into spherical micelles in aqueous solutions, which assisted formation of Cu₂S nanowires on various substrates.

Stimuli-induced multiple dissociation and micellization transitions of random copolymers

Upon UV irradiation, random copolymer P(NBMA-co-MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) was converted into P(MAA-co-MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) with disruption of the initial micelles. Further increasing the temperature or decreasing the pH induced the reformation of micelles.

Self-assembly of random copolymers

Self-assembly of random copolymers has attracted considerable attention recently. In this feature article, we highlight the use of random copolymers to prepare nanostructures with different morphologies and to prepare nanomaterials that are responsive to single or multiple stimuli. The synthesis of single-chain nanoparticles from random copolymers and their potential applications are also discussed in some detail. We aim to draw more attention to these easily accessible copolymers, which are likely to play an important role in translational polymer research.

Photo-responsive polymeric micelles

Photo-responsive polymeric micelles have received increasing attention in both academic and industrial fields due to their efficient photo-sensitive nature and unique nanostructure. In view of the photo-reaction mechanism, photo-responsive polymeric micelles can be divided into five major types: (1) photoisomerization polymeric micelles, (2) photo-induced rearrangement polymeric micelles, (3) photocleavage polymeric micelles, (4) photo-induced crosslinkable polymeric micelles, and (5) photo-induced energy conversion polymeric micelles. This review highlights the recent advances of photo-responsive polymeric micelles, including the design, synthesis and applications in various biomedical fields. Especially, the influence of different photo-reaction mechanisms on the morphology, structure and properties of the polymeric micelles is emphasized. Finally, the possible future directions and perspectives in this emerging area are briefly discussed.

Influence of photo-cross-linking on emulsifying performance of the self-assemblies of poly(7-(4-vinylbenzyloxyl)-4-methylcoumarin-co-acrylic acid)

Polymeric micelles could be used as model polymeric particulate emulsifiers to elucidate the correlation between the micellar structure and their emulsifying performance. Photo-cross-linkable and pH-responsive micelles were prepared with amphiphilic random copolymers, poly(7-(4-vinylbenzyloxyl)-4-methylcoumarin-co-acrylic acid) (PVMAA), via the self-assembly in selective-solvent DMF/H2O and then used as polymeric particulate emulsifiers to stabilize toluene-in-water emulsions. Primary micelles, based on PVMAA with 12 mol % of hydrophobic composition, were chosen as model to investigate the influence of photo-cross-linking on the emulsifying performance. The larger shrinkage degree by photo-cross-linking (SDC) the micelles have, the lower emulsifying efficiency the micelles exhibit. Furthermore, the structural transitions of micelles with SDC of 0% and 95% in response to pH change were comparatively confirmed by a combination of electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The micelles of various states, manipulated by photo-cross-linking and pH changes, were used as emulsifiers to stabilize toluene-in-water or styrene-in-water emulsions. For the un-cross-linked micelles, polymer chains gradually protrude from micelles with pH increasing, which benefits the increase in the emulsifying efficiency of micelles. However, as pH elevated over 8, the stability of emulsions significantly decreases due to the disintegration of micelles. On the contrary, micelles with SDC of 95% keep their structural integrity and become more rigid as pH increase, leading to lower emulsifying efficiency of micelles and worse stability of the emulsions. This paper provides a new insight into the principles governing the extremely high emulsifying efficiency of polymeric particulate emulsifiers and pH-dependent or pH-responsive properties of the formed emulsions.

Cyclic amphiphilic random copolymers bearing azobenzene side chains: facile synthesis and topological effects on self-assembly and photoisomerization

In this article, well-defined cyclic amphiphilic random copolymers bearing azobenzene side chains and pendent carboxyl moieties, cyclic-P(BHMEm -co-AAn )s, are synthesized by combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with Cu(I)-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) "click" reaction and selective hydrolysis of tert-butyl ester. Successful synthesis of the cyclic-P(BHMEm -co-AAn )s is fully characterized and verified via conventional gel permeation chromatography, triple detection gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The cyclic topology induces profound effects on the glass transition temperatures, self-assembly behavior, and photoresponsive performance of the copolymers compared with their linear counterparts.

Progressive macromolecular self-assembly: from biomimetic chemistry to bio-inspired materials

Macromolecular self-assembly (MSA) has been an active and fruitful research field since the 1980s, especially in this new century, which is promoted by the remarkable developments in controlled radical polymerization in polymer chemistry, etc. and driven by the demands in bio-related investigations and applications. In this review, we try to summarize the trends and recent progress in MSA in relation to biomimetic chemistry and bio-inspired materials. Our paper covers representative achievements in the fabrication of artificial building blocks for life, cell-inspired biomimetic materials, and macromolecular assemblies mimicking the functions of natural materials and their applications. It is true that the current status of the deliberately designed and obtained nano-objects based on MSA including a variety of micelles, multicompartment vesicles, and some hybrid and complex nano-objects is at their very first stage to mimic nature, but significant and encouraging progress has been made in achieving a certain similarity in morphologies or properties to that of natural ones. Such achievements also demonstrate that MSA has played an important and irreplaceable role in the grand and long-standing research of biomimetic and bio-inspired materials, the future success of which depends on mutual and persistent efforts in polymer science, material science, supramolecular chemistry, and biology.

Shedding light on nanomedicine

Light is an electromagnetic radiation that can convert its energy into different forms (e.g., heat, chemical energy, and acoustic waves). This property has been exploited in phototherapy (e.g., photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT)) and optical imaging (e.g., fluorescence imaging) for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Light-controlled therapies can provide minimally- or noninvasive spatiotemporal control as well as deep tissue penetration. Nanotechnology provides numerous advantages, including selective targeting of tissues, prolongation of therapeutic effect, protection of active payloads, and improved therapeutic indices. This review explores the advances that nanotechnology can bring to light-based therapies and diagnostics, and vice versa, including photo-triggered systems, nanoparticles containing photoactive molecules, and nanoparticles that are themselves photoactive. Limitations of light-based therapies such as photic injury and phototoxicity are discussed.

Self-assembly and emulsification of poly{[styrene-alt-maleic acid]-co-[styrene-alt-(N-3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl-maleamic acid)]}

Self-assembled polymeric micelles can be used as efficient particulate emulsifiers. To explore the relationship between the structure and the oil-water interfacial behavior of the micelle emulsifiers, a new type of amphiphilic random copolymer, poly{(styrene-alt-maleic acid)-co-[styrene-alt-(N-3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl-maleamic acid)]} (SMA-Dopa), was synthesized, self-assembled into micelles, and used as emulsifiers. SMA-Dopa was synthesized via an aminolysis reaction between dopamine and commercial alternating copolymer poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (SMA). Dopamine moiety facilitated the self-assembly of the SMA-Dopa in selective-solvent into stable micelles, and increased the adsorption of the SMA-Dopa at the oil-water interface. Additionally, the structural transition of the self-assembled SMA-Dopa52 micelles in response to pH and salinity changes were confirmed by means of TEM, AFM, DLS, aqueous electrophoresis techniques, potentiometric titration, and pyrene fluorescence probe methods. Micelles shrunk with increasing salinity, and flocculation of the shrunken primary micelles occurred at salt concentration exceeding 0.1 M. The micelles swelled with increasing pH, and the disassociation of the SMA-Dopa52 micelles occurred at pH above approximately 6.5. The structure of the micelles plays a crucial role in the oil-water interfacial performance. Micelles with various structures were used as emulsifiers to adsorb at the styrene-water and toluene-water interfaces. The emulsifying characteristics demonstrated that self-assembled SMA-Dopa52 micelles with moderately swollen structure (at 2 < pH < 6) combine the advantages of the solid particulate emulsifiers and polymeric surfactants, possessing excellent emulsifying efficiency and good emulsion stability. Moreover, the emulsifying performance of the SMA-Dopa52 micelles could be enhanced by the addition of salt.

Nanoaggregates of biodegradable amphiphilic random polycations for delivering water-insoluble drugs

Cationic amphiphilic random copolyesters were obtained by copolymerization of 5-Z-amino-δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone. The amino content of the final copolymers was controlled by the polymerization feed ratio and was in the range 10 to 100%. Copolymers solubility and aggregation behavior was assessed by conductometric and zeta potential analyses. A critical aggregation concentration of ca. 0.05% (w/v) was found for all water-soluble copolymers that formed nanoaggregates. Two populations were found to be present in equilibrium with hydrodynamic diameters in the range of 30-50 and 100-250 nm. The capacity to use the amphiphilic and cationic character of the nanoaggregates to encapsulate highly hydrophobic compounds was further investigated. Finally, copolymers hemo- and cytocompatibility were evaluated by hemagglutination, hemolysis, and cells proliferation tests. The results showed that the proposed cationic amphiphilic random copolyesters are biocompatible.