Synthesis and thermoresponsive properties of four arm, amphiphilic poly(tert-butyl-glycidylether)-block-polyglycidol stars

The Role of Polymer Structure in Formation of Various Nano- and Microstructural Materials: 30 Years of Research in the Laboratory of Nano- and Microstructural Materials at the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials PAS

The review summarizes the research carried out in the Laboratory of Nano- and Microstructural Materials at the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences (CMPW PAS). Studies carried out for many years under the guidance of Professor Andrzej Dworak led to the development and exploration of the mechanisms of oxirane and cyclic imine polymerization and controlled radical polymerization of methacrylate monomers. Based on that knowledge, within the last three decades, macromolecules with the desired composition, molar mass and topology were obtained and investigated. The ability to control the structure of the synthesized polymers turned out to be important, as it provided a way to tailor the physiochemical properties of the materials to their specific uses. Many linear polymers and copolymers as well as macromolecules with branched, star, dendritic and hyperbranched architectures were synthesized. Thanks to the applied controlled polymerization techniques, it was possible to obtain hydrophilic, hydrophobic, amphiphilic and stimulus-sensitive polymers. These tailor-made polymers with controlled properties were used for the construction of various types of materials, primarily on the micro- and nanoscales, with a wide range of possible applications, mainly in biomedicine. The diverse topology of polymers, and thus their properties, made it possible to obtain various types of polymeric nanostructures and use them as nanocarriers by encapsulation of biologically active substances. Additionally, polymer layers were obtained with features useful in medicine, particularly regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Thermoresponsive Nanogels of Modified Poly((di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-co-(2-aminoethyl methacrylate))s

A series of copolymers of di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (D) and 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (A) (P(D-co-A)) with variable ratios of comonomers were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization. Then, the amino groups of obtained copolymers were modified to clickable azide or prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamate groups. A thermoresponsive copolymers were obtained with the value of cloud point temperature (T_CP) dependent on the type and number of functional groups in the copolymer and on the concentration of solutions. For P(D-co-A) copolymers, the T_CP increased with increasing content of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate comonomer. The presence of azide and prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamate groups caused the changes of T_CP of modified copolymers. All studied copolymers in dilute aqueous solutions aggregated above T_CP to nanoparticles with sizes dependent on the solution concentration, heating procedures, and types and numbers of functional groups present in a copolymer chain. The presence of hydrophilic elements in the chain and the increase in the copolymer concentration led to the enlargement of the particle sizes. Aggregates were crosslinked using click reaction between an azide and prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamate groups that led to stable thermoresponsive nanogels. A systematic study of the behavior of copolymers allowed the determination of the chains useful for possible application in drug delivery.

Stable star polymer nanolayers and their thermoresponsiveness as a tool for controlled culture and detachment of fibroblast sheets

Star polymer nanolayers were successfully used as surfaces for fibroblast adhesion and proliferation, followed by their detachment in the form of a cell sheet, controlled by a temperature decrease.

In situ synthesis of thermoresponsive 4-arm star block copolymer nano-assemblies by dispersion RAFT polymerization

Thermoresponsive 4-arm star block copolymer nano-assemblies were synthesized, and their interesting thermoresponse was investigated.

pH-induced outward movement of star centers within coumarin-centered star-block polymer micelles

A novel coumarin-centered amphiphilic star-block polymer of C-(PDMAEMA(80)-b-PS(8))(3) has been designed to investigate the pH-induced accompanying outward movement of hydrophobic coumarin centers within the polymer micelles upon protonation.