NIPAm-Based Modification of Poly(L-lysine): A pH-Dependent LCST-Type Thermo-Responsive Biodegradable Polymer

Polylysine is a biocompatible, biodegradable, water soluble polypeptide. Thanks to the pendant primary amines it bears, it is susceptible to modification reactions. In this work Poly(L-lysine) (PLL) was partially modified via the effortless free-catalysed aza-Michael addition reaction at room temperature by grafting N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) moieties onto the amines. The resulting PLL-g-NIPAm exhibited LCST-type thermosensitivity. The LCST can be tuned by the NIPAm content incorporated in the macromolecules. Importantly, depending on the NIPAm content, LCST is highly dependent on pH and ionic strength due to ionization capability of the remaining free lysine residues. PLL-g-NIPAm constitutes a novel biodegradable LCST polymer that could be used as “smart” block in block copolymers and/or terpolymers, of any macromolecular architecture, to design pH/Temperature-responsive self-assemblies (nanocarriers and/or networks) for potential bio-applications.

Recyclable sulfone-containing polymersviaring-opening polymerization of macroheterocyclic siloxane monomers: synthesis, properties and recyclability

The first recyclable sulfone-containing polysiloxanes were synthesizedviaan anionic ring-opening polymerization of macroheterocyclic siloxane monomers.

Synthesis of thermo- and photo-responsive polysiloxanes with tunable phase separationviaaza-Michael addition

Two kinds of thermo- and photo-dual-responsive polysiloxanes were synthesized through a facile, effective, and catalyst-free aza-Michael addition.

From LCST to UCST: the phase separation behaviour of thermo-responsive polysiloxanes with the solubility parameters of solvents

Thermo-responsive polysiloxanes with tunable LCST- and UCST-type phase separation in mixed solvents were synthesised via a facile, highly efficient, catalyst-free aza-Michael addition of poly(aminopropylmethylsiloxane) to N-isopropylacrylamide.

Light- and heat-triggered reversible luminescent materials based on polysiloxanes with anthracene groups

Reversible silicone elastomers were successfully developed by light-triggered dimerization and heat depolymerization which happened to the anthryl groups.