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.

Polypeptide self-assemblies: nanostructures and bioapplications

Polypeptide copolymers can self-assemble into diverse aggregates. The morphology and structure of aggregates can be varied by changing molecular architectures, self-assembling conditions, and introducing secondary components such as polymers and nanoparticles. Polypeptide self-assemblies have gained significant attention because of their potential applications as delivery vehicles for therapeutic payloads and as additives in the biomimetic mineralization of inorganics. This review article provides an overview of recent advances in nanostructures and bioapplications related to polypeptide self-assemblies. We highlight recent contributions to developing strategies for the construction of polypeptide assemblies with increasing complexity and novel functionality that are suitable for bioapplications. The relationship between the structure and properties of the polypeptide aggregates is emphasized. Finally, we briefly outline our perspectives and discuss the challenges in the field.

Secondary structures of synthetic polypeptide polymers

Synthetic peptide-based polymers can fold into different secondary structures in the same way as do proteins. This review article presents how tuning the polypeptide secondary structure could be a key step to modulate various properties in advanced polymeric materials (size, rigidity, self-assembly,etc.).

Acrylate-macromonomers and telechelics of PBA by merging biphasic SET-LRP of BA, chain extension with MA and biphasic esterification

Chain extension of PBA with MA allows the preparation of acrylate-functional PBA.

Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Biomacromolecules and their Conjugates by Single Electron Transfer-Living Radical Polymerization

Single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) represents a robust and versatile tool for the synthesis of vinyl polymers with well-defined topology and chain end functionality. The crucial step in SET-LRP is the disproportionation of the Cu(I)X generated by activation with Cu(0) wire, powder, or nascent Cu(0) generated in situ into nascent, extremely reactive Cu(0) atoms and nanoparticles and Cu(II)X₂. Nascent Cu(0) activates the initiator and dormant chains via a homogeneous or heterogeneous outer-sphere single-electron transfer mechanism (SET-LRP). SET-LRP provides an ultrafast polymerization of a plethora of monomers (e.g., (meth)-acrylates, (meth)-acrylamides, styrene, and vinyl chloride) including hydrophobic and water insoluble to hydrophilic and water soluble. Some advantageous features of SET-LRP are (i) the use of Cu(0) wire or powder as readily available catalysts under mild reaction conditions, (ii) their excellent control over molecular weight evolution and distribution as well as polymer chain ends, (iii) their high functional group tolerance allowing the polymerization of commercial-grade monomers, and (iv) the limited purification required for the resulting polymers. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent advancements of SET-LRP in the synthesis of biomacromolecules and of their conjugates.

PAA-g-PLA amphiphilic graft copolymer: synthesis, self-assembly, and drug loading ability

This article reports the synthesis of a PAA-g-PLA amphiphilic polymer by the combination of RAFT polymerization and organocatalytic ROP, which could self-assemble into spheres in aqueous media for sustained release of doxorubicin.

Synthesis of an amphiphilic graft copolymer bearing a hydrophilic poly(acrylate acid) backbone for drug delivery of methotrexate

This article reports the synthesis of a PAA-g-PLA amphiphilic graft polymer, which could self-assemble into large compound micelles in aqueous media for sustained release of MTX.

POSS semitelechelic Aβ17–19 peptide initiated helical polypeptides and their structural diversity in aqueous medium

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) semitelechelic Aβ_17–19 peptide which initiated polymerization of γ-benzyl l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA) was studied to prepare peptide–polypeptide conjugates with α-helical conformation.

Electrochemical redox responsive polymeric micelles formed from amphiphilic supramolecular brushes

The end-decorated homopolymer poly(ε-caprolactone)-ferrocene threaded onto a β-cyclodextrin-functionalized main-chain polymer can form a class of amphiphilic noncovalent graft copolymers based on the host-guest interactions of the terminal groups on the side chains. These new supramolecular polymer brushes can further self-assemble into micellar aggregates that exhibit reversible assembly and disassembly behavior under an electrochemical redox trigger, which opens up a new route to building dynamic block copolymer topologies.

Constructing semi-fluorinated PDEAEMA-b-PBTFVBP-b-PDEAEMA amphiphilic triblock copolymer via successive thermal step-growth cycloaddition polymerization and ATRP

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers containing semi-fluorinated PBTFVBP and hydrophilic PDEAEMA segments were synthesized by the site transformation strategy.

Main-chain PPEGMEMA-b-PBTFVPP-b-PPEGMEMA perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-based amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymer: synthesis and self-assembly

A novel perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether-based amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers were synthesized via the site transformation strategy using sequential thermal [2π + 2π] step-growth cycloaddition polymerization and ATRP.

Construction of semi-fluorinated amphiphilic graft copolymer bearing a poly(2-methyl-1,4-bistrifluorovinyloxybenzene) backbone and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains via the grafting-onto strategy

Amphiphilic graft copolymers bearing a hydrophobic PMBTFVB backbone and hydrophilic PEG side chains were synthesized by Williamson reaction through the grafting-onto strategy.

Self-activation and activation of Cu(0) wire for SET-LRP mediated by fluorinated alcohols

Herein we report the self-activation and activation of Cu(0) wire used to form a catalyst in single-electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) in two fluorinated alcohols employed as solvents, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol (TFP).