ABC Triblock Copolymer Micelle-Like Aggregates in Selective Solvents for A and C

Asymmetric polymersomes, from the formation of asymmetric membranes to the application on drug delivery

Nano drug delivery systems have attracted researchers' growing attention and are gradually emerging into the public views. More and more nano-formulations are being approved for marketing or clinical use, representing the field's booming development. Copolymer self-assembly systems such as micelles, nanoparticles, polymersomes occupy a prominent position in the field of nano-drug delivery carriers. Among them, polymersomes, unlike micelles or nanoparticles, resemble liposomes' structure and possess large internal hollow hydrophilic reservoirs, allowing them to carry hydrophilic drugs. Nevertheless, their insufficient drug loading efficiency and unruly self-assembly morphology have somewhat constrained their applications. Especially for the delivery of biomacromolecule such as peptides, the encapsulation efficiency is always considered to be a formidable obstacle, even if the enormous hydrophilic core would render the polymersomes to have considerable potential in this regard. Reassuringly, the emergence of asymmetric polymersomes holds the prospect of solving this problem. With the development of synthetic technology and a deeper understanding of the self-assembly process, the asymmetric polymersomes which are with different inner and outer shell composition have been gradually recognized by researchers. It has made possible elevated drug loading, more controllable assembly processes and release performance. The internal hydrophilic blocks different from the outer shell could be engineered to have a more remarkable affinity to the cargos or could contain a non-watery aqueous phase to enable the thermodynamically preferred encapsulation of cargos, which would allow for a substantial improvement in drug encapsulation efficiency compared to the conventional approach. In this paper, we aim to deepen the understanding to asymmetric polymersomes and lay the foundation for the development of this field by describing four main elements: the mechanism of their preparation and asymmetric membrane formation process, the characterization of asymmetric membranes, the efficient drug loading, and the special stimulus-responsive release mechanism.

Patchy Micelles with a Crystalline Core: Self-Assembly Concepts, Properties, and Applications

Crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of block copolymers bearing one crystallizable block has emerged to be a powerful and highly relevant method for the production of one- and two-dimensional micellar assemblies with controlled length, shape, and corona chemistries. This gives access to a multitude of potential applications, from hierarchical self-assembly to complex superstructures, catalysis, sensing, nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, and surface functionalization. Related to these applications, patchy crystalline-core micelles, with their unique, nanometer-sized, alternating corona segmentation, are highly interesting, as this feature provides striking advantages concerning interfacial activity, functionalization, and confinement effects. Hence, this review aims to provide an overview of the current state of the art with respect to self-assembly concepts, properties, and applications of patchy micelles with crystalline cores formed by CDSA. We have also included a more general discussion on the CDSA process and highlight block-type co-micelles as a special type of patchy micelle, due to similarities of the corona structure if the size of the blocks is well below 100 nm.

Visualizing Nanoscale Coronal Segregation in Rod-Like Micelles Formed by Co-Assembly of Binary Block Copolymer Blends

Mixed micelles formed by co-assembly of pairs of block copolymers (BCPs) can develop novel morphologies and generate useful properties not accessible from homomicelles. For micelles consisting of two different polymers in the corona, identifying the location of the corona chains is a critical part of morphology characterization. Coronal segregation in mixed micelle is often characterized by transmission electron microscopy in combination with selective staining of individual polymers. In this study, Karstedt's catalyst is used for selective Pt(0)-olefin coordination staining of polyisoprene (PI) and poly(methylvinylsiloxane) (PMVS) corona chains in the presence of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) corona chains in cylindrical mixed micelles with a crystalline poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) (PFS) core. Previous experiments using OsO₄ as a stain did not enable visualization of nanoscale coronal segregation in mixed micelles obtained from co-assembly of PFS-b-PI and PFS-b-PDMS, as well as PFS-b-PMVS and PFS-b-PDMS.

Self-Assembly of Block and Graft Copolymers in Organic Solvents: An Overview of Recent Advances

This review is an attempt to update the recent advances in the self-assembly of amphiphilic block and graft copolymers. Their micellization behavior is highlighted for linear AB, ABC triblock terpolymers, and graft structures in non-aqueous selective polar and non-polar solvents, including solvent mixtures and ionic liquids. The micellar characteristics, such as particle size, aggregation number, and morphology, are examined as a function of the copolymers' architecture and molecular characteristics.

Constructing Asymmetric Polyion Complex Vesicles via Template Assembling Strategy: Formulation Control and Tunable Permeability

A strategy for constructing polyion complex vesicles (PICsomes) with asymmetric structure is described. Poly(methylacrylic acid)-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) modified gold nanoparticles (PMAA-b-PNIPAm-@-Au NPs) were prepared and then assembled with poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly[1-methyl-3-(2-methacryloyloxy propylimidazolium bromine)] (PEG-b-PMMPImB) via polyion complex of PMMA and PMMPImB. After removing the Au NPs template, asymmetric PICsomes composed of a PNIPAm inner-shell, PIC wall, and PEG outer-corona were obtained. These PICsomes have low protein absorption and thermally tunable permeability, provided by the PEG outer-corona and the PNIPAm inner-shell, respectively. Moreover, PICsome size can be tailored by using templates of predetermined sizes. This novel strategy for constructing asymmetric PICsomes with well-defined properties and controllable size is valuable for applications such as drug delivery, catalysis and monitoring of chemical reactions, and biomimetics.

Structural transformation of vesicles formed by a polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)/polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) mixture: from symmetric to asymmetric membranes

Asymmetric vesicles with different inner and outer corona compositions are applicable in microreactors, drug delivery, and biomimics because of their unique functions in membrane permeability and protein localization. In this study, we develop a novel approach to construct asymmetric vesicles and demonstrate the first structural transformation of polymeric vesicles from symmetric to asymmetric membranes. Experimental results and Monte Carlo simulation results clearly reveal that increased intercorona repulsion and enhanced hydrophobic chain mobility are essential to realize this transformation. Moreover, similar transformation processes are observed where either HCl or NaOH is added to change the intercorona interaction. This finding indicates that the observed structural transformation is dominated by physical interactions rather than chemical environment. The constructed asymmetric vesicles can be selectively decorated with gold nanoparticles on the outer corona. This study introduces a novel approach to prepare asymmetric vesicles and provides insights into the mechanism underlying the structural transformation of polymeric vesicles from symmetric to asymmetric membranes.

Release Behavior of Polymeric Vesicles in Solution Controlled by External Electrostatic Field

We found that the polymeric vesicles from the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS₁₄₄-b-PAA₂₂) in the dioxane/water mixture can be deformed, broken and finally divided into smaller ones via the external electrostatic field. The higher the electrostatic field intensity, the smaller the vesicles. More importantly, this fission phenomenon induced by electrostatic field can be used to control the release behavior of the vesicles. Our experimental results show that the Nile Red (NR) molecules encapsulated inside the cavity of vesicles can be accurately released by controlling the electrostatic field intensity and the release time. These findings not only enrich the knowledge for the external field induced transformation of polymer structures, but also provide a new and highly convenient approach for the controllable release of polymersomes in solution.

Redox-Responsive Multicompartment Vesicles of Ferrocene-Containing Triblock Terpolymer Exhibiting On-Off Switchable Pores

Multicompartment vesicles of ferrocene-containing triblock terpolymer containing on-off switchable pores in the vesicular membrane are prepared by seeded RAFT polymerization. In these multicompartment vesicles, the incompatible solvophobic poly(4-vinylbenzyl ferrocenecarboxylate) (PVFC) and poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA) blocks form the porous phase-segregated membrane and the solvophilic poly[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] block locates at the inner and outer sides of the membrane. These porous multicompartment vesicles are redox-responsive and the membrane pores can be on-off switched through redox triggering. These porous multicompartment vesicles are deemed to be new nanoassembly of ABC triblock terpolymer and are anticipated to be a smart host to load and release guests.

One-pot preparation of BAB triblock copolymer nano-objects through bifunctional macromolecular RAFT agent mediated dispersion polymerization

Nano-assemblies of a BAB triblock copolymer containing a solvophilic A block and two solvophobic B blocks were prepared through dispersion RAFT polymerization.

Preparation of superhydrophobic films based on the diblock copolymer P(TFEMA-r-Sty)-b-PCEMA

The diblock copolymer P(TFEMA-r-Sty)-b-PCEMA was synthesized and self-assembled to form spherical micelles. Photo-cross-linking the PCEMA domains of these micelles yielded cross-linked nanoparticles. The cross-linked nanoparticles were used to prepare superhydrophobic films.

Asymmetrical vesicles: convenient in situ RAFT synthesis and controllable structure determination

Asymmetrical vesicles of a block copolymer were prepared, and the vesicle structure was found to be dependent on the degree of polymerization of solvophilic blocks.

Modification of block copolymer vesicles: what will happen when AB diblock copolymer is block-extended to an ABC triblock terpolymer?

The PEG-b-PS diblock copolymer vesicles were converted into the membrane-compartmentalized vesicles of the PEG-b-PS-b-P4VP triblock terpolymer through seeded RAFT polymerization.

Patchy nanoparticles self-assembled from linear triblock copolymers under spherical confinement: a simulated annealing study

The self-assembly of linear ABC triblock copolymers confined in spherical nanopores is studied using a simulated annealing technique. Morphological phase diagrams as a function of the pore diameter, the selectivity of the pore-wall to the terminal blocks, and the copolymer composition are constructed. A variety of patchy nanoparticles and multiple morphological transitions are identified. Janus nanoparticles, which can be regarded as particles with one patch, are observed inside small nanopores. With increasing the pore diameter, the number of patches on a nanoparticle surface increases from one to two, four, five, six, and seven. The size of each patch increases periodically. The number of patches also increases with increasing the wall selectivity. The distribution of the patches on the surface of a given particle is highly symmetric. The interior structures of the patchy nanoparticles and the morphological transition are investigated by calculating the bridging fraction, the mean square end-to-end distance and the average contact number between different components. A series of entropy-driven morphological transitions is predicted. Furthermore, it is found that the overall patchy morphology is largely controlled by the volume fraction of the middle B-block, while the internal structure is largely controlled by the volume fraction ratio of the two terminal blocks. Our study demonstrates that the size of nanopores, the pore-wall selectivity, and the copolymer composition could be utilized as effective means to tune the structure and properties of the anisotropic nanoparticles.

Asymmetric vesicle constructed by AB/CB diblock copolymer mixture and its behavior: a Monte Carlo study

Asymmetric vesicles constructed from AB/CB diblock copolymer mixture in a selective solvent for A and C blocks are studied using Monte Carlo simulation. The effects of the mixed ratio of the two diblock copolymers, the solution pH, and the hydrophilic chain length on the distributions of hydrophilic blocks on the surfaces of asymmetric vesicles are studied systematically. The simulation results show that asymmetric vesicle, in which the inner and outer surfaces are constructed from different hydrophilic blocks, can be obtained from AB/CB diblock copolymer mixture. The formation of ABC or CBA three-layer asymmetric vesicle depends on the composition of the mixture, the chain length of hydrophilic block, and the solution pH. The hydrophilic block with the same charge (induced by the solution pH), or longer chain length, or lower content in the mixture is more likely to distribute on the outer surface of the vesicle. Moreover, the transition from ABC to CBA three-layer asymmetric vesicle in which blocks C are charged can occur by adjusting the composition of the mixture. On the other hand, the investigations of the interfacial energy density of asymmetric vesicles elucidate the distribution regularity of hydrophilic blocks. When the hydrophilic chain lengths are equal, the difference between the outer and inner interfacial energies is the main factor that determines the asymmetric vesicle structures; that is, the distributions of different hydrophilic blocks on asymmetric vesicles always tend to gain the largest difference between the outer and inner interfacial energies. However, when the hydrophilic chain lengths are different, the chain conformational entropy becomes the main driving force for determining the distribution of hydrophilic blocks on asymmetric vesicles.

ABC triblock terpolymer self-assembled core-shell-corona nanotubes with high aspect ratios

Nanotubes have attracted considerable attention due to their unique 1D hollow structure; however, the fabrication of pure nanotubes via block copolymer self-assembly remains a challenge. In this work, the successful preparation of core-shell-corona (CSC) nanotubular micelles with uniform diameter and high aspect ratio is reported, which is achieved via self-assembly of a poly (styrene-b-4-vinyl pyridine-b-ethylene oxide) triblock terpolymer in binary organic solvents with assistance of solution thermal annealing. Via direct visualization of trapped intermediates, the nanotube is believed to be formed via large sphere-large solid cylinderical aggregates-nanotube transformations, wherein the unique solid to hollow transition accompanied with the unidirectional growth is distinct from conventional pathway. In addition, by virtue of the CSC structure, gold nanoparticles are able to be selectively incorporated into different micellar domains of the nanotubes, which may have potential applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

In situ synthesis of thermo-responsive ABC triblock terpolymer nano-objects by seeded RAFT polymerization

Synthesis of thermo-responsive ABC triblock terpolymer nano-objects by seeded RAFT polymerization is achieved. At temperature above LCST, the triblock terpolymer nano-objects convert into multicompartment nanoparticles.

Micelle and vesicle formation from supramolecular complexes based on proton-transfer hydrogen bonding

Gemini supramolecular complexes based on proton-transfer hydrogen bonding self-assemble into vesicles and micelles.

Facile Fabrication of Antibacterial Core–Shell Nanoparticles Based on PHMG Oligomers and PAA Networks via Template Polymerization

Antibacterial core–shell nanoparticles based on poly(hexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride) (PHMG) oligomers and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) networks are efficiently fabricated via a facile one-step co-polymerization of acrylic acid and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide on PHMG templates in aqueous solution. Dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy observations were used to characterize the size, morphology, and structure of the nanoparticles, as well as the interactions between the components. Also, the stability of the nanoparticle dispersion against storage, pH value, salt, and temperature was investigated. The results show that the crosslinked PAA/PHMG nanoparticles are stabilized by electrostatic interactions. The core–shell structure of the nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy observation. The size of the nanoparticles increases substantially with extension of storage or with increase of the salt concentration. The nanoparticle dispersion is stable in a pH range of 2.0–4.0. The size change of the nanoparticles with pH of the medium is parabolic, and the minimum size is reached at pH 3.0. A rise of temperature leads to a slight and recoverable size increase of the nanoparticles. Antibacterial efficiency was evaluated quantitatively against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by the plating method according to Standard JC/T 897–2002. The antibacterial activity against these two bacteria are both above 99.0 % at a nanoparticle concentration of 5 mg mL–1. This makes the nanoparticle dispersion a good candidate for the application of antibacterial water-based coatings and textiles coating.

Self-assembly and chemical processing of block copolymers: a roadmap towards a diverse array of block copolymer nanostructures

Block copolymers can yield a diverse array of nanostructures. Their assembly structures are influenced by their inherent structures, and the wide variety of structures that can be prepared especially becomes apparent when one considers the number of routes available to prepare block copolymer assemblies. Some examples include self-assembly, directed assembly, coupling, as well as hierarchical assembly, which can yield assemblies having even higher structural order. These assembly routes can also be complemented by processing techniques such as selective crosslinking and etching, the former technique leading to permanent structures, the latter towards sculpted and the combination of the two towards permanent sculpted structures. The combination of these pathways provides extremely versatile routes towards an exciting variety of architectures. This review will attempt to highlight destinations reached by LIU Guojun and coworkers following these pathways.

Well-Defined Polyisoprene-b-Poly(acrylic acid)/Polystyrene-b-Polyisoprene-b-Poly(acrylic acid) Block Copolymers: Synthesis and Their Self-Assembled Hierarchical Structures in Aqueous Media

The synthesis and characterization of well-defined polyacid based block copolymers containing polyisoprene (PI) are reported. The challenge of maintaining the integrity of the polydiene while producing polyacid from the tert-butyl ester precursor is addressed in this communication. A general purification method was also developed, taking advantage of the different polarities of each block. The polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PI-b-PAA) triblock terpolymers form multicompartmental micelles via aqueous self-assembly. Our work reveals the morphological consequences of unique balances among global and local interactions.

Well-defined amphiphilic poly(2-oxazoline) ABA-triblock copolymers and their aggregation behavior in aqueous solution

Self-organization of block copolymers in solution is a way to obtain advanced functional superstructures. The synthesis of well-defined polymethyloxazoline-block-polyphenyloxazoline-block-polymethyloxazoline triblock copolymers is described and proven by (1) H NMR spectroscopy, SEC, and ESI-MS. The surprisingly water- soluble block copolymers do self-organize in aqueous solutions uniquely forming three coexisting well-defined structures: unimolecular micelles, micellar aggregates, and very form-stable polymersomes. This is the first example of a polymersome forming ABA-triblock copolymer with a glassy middle block. The spherical vesicles are analysed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It could be shown that these vesicles are indeed hollow spheres.

General pathway toward crystalline-core micelles with tunable morphology and corona segregation

We present a general mechanism for the solution self-assembly of crystalline-core micelles (CCMs) from triblock copolymers bearing a semicrystalline polyethylene (PE) middle block. This approach enables the production of nanoparticles with tunable dimensions and surface structures. Depending on the quality of the solvent used for PE, either spherical or worm-like CCMs can be generated in an easy and highly selective fashion from the same triblock copolymers via crystallization-induced self-assembly upon cooling. If the triblock copolymer stays molecularly dissolved at temperatures above the crystallization temperature of the PE block, worm-like CCMs with high aspect ratios are formed by a nucleation and growth process. Their length can be conveniently controlled by varying the applied crystallization temperature. If exclusively spherical micelles with an amorphous PE core are present before crystallization, confined crystallization within the cores of the preformed micelles takes place and spherical CCMs are formed. For polystyrene-block-polyethylene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) triblock terpolymers a patch-like microphase separation of the corona is obtained for both spherical and worm-like CCMs due to the incompatibility of the PS and PMMA blocks. The structure of the patch-like corona depends on the selectivity of the employed solvent for the PS and PMMA corona blocks, whereby nonselective solvents produce a more homogeneous patch size and distribution. Annealing of the semicrystalline PE cores results in an increasingly uniform crystallite size distribution and thus core thickness of the worm-like CCMs.