pH-Responsive Schizophrenic Diblock Copolymers Prepared by Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

pH-Responsive Nanogels Generated by Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly of a Succinate-Functional Monomer

Colloidal nanogels formed from a pH-responsive poly(succinate)-functional core and a poly(sulfonate)-functional corona were prepared via a previously unreported reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)-mediated aqueous emulsion polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) route. Specifically, a poly(potassium 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) (PKSPMA50) macromolecular chain-transfer agent (macro-CTA) was synthesized via RAFT solution polymerization followed by chain-extension with a hydrophobic, carboxylic acid-functional, 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl succinate (MES) monomer at pH 2. Colloidal nanoparticles with tunable diameters between 66 to 150 nm, depending on the core composition, and narrow particle size distributions were obtained at 20% w/w solids. Well-defined pH-responsive nanogels that swell on increasing the pH could be prepared even without the addition of a cross-linking comonomer, and introducing an additional cross-linker to the core led to smaller nanogels with lower swelling ratios. These nanogels could reversibly change in size on cycling the pH between acidic and basic conditions and remain colloidally stable over a wide pH range and at 70 °C.

Structural Determinants of Stimuli-Responsiveness in Amphiphilic Macromolecular Nano-assemblies

Stimuli-responsive nano-assemblies from amphiphilic macromolecules could undergo controlled structural transformations and generate diverse macroscopic phenomenon under stimuli. Due to the controllable responsiveness, they have been applied for broad material and biomedical applications, such as biologics delivery, sensing, imaging, and catalysis. Understanding the mechanisms of the assembly-disassembly processes and structural determinants behind the responsive properties is fundamentally important for designing the next generation of nano-assemblies with programmable responsiveness. In this review, we focus on structural determinants of assemblies from amphiphilic macromolecules and their macromolecular level alterations under stimuli, such as the disruption of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), depolymerization, decrosslinking, and changes of molecular packing in assemblies, which eventually lead to a series of macroscopic phenomenon for practical purposes. Applications of stimuli-responsive nano-assemblies in delivery, sensing and imaging were also summarized based on their structural features. We expect this review could provide readers an overview of the structural considerations in the design and applications of nanoassemblies and incentivize more explorations in stimuli-responsive soft matters.

Double-Wavelength-Switchable Molecular Self-Assembly of a Photoacid and Spirooxazine in an Aqueous Solution

Quadruple-switchable nanoscale assemblies are built by combining two types of water-soluble molecular photoswitches through dipole-dipole interaction. Uniting the wavelength-specific proton dissociation of a photoacid and ring-opening of an anionic spirooxazine results in an assembly that can be addressed by irradiation with two different wavelengths: pH and darkness.

Permeable polymersomes from temperature and pH dual stimuli-responsive PVCL-b-PLL block copolymers for enhanced cell internalization and lysosome targeting

A series of dual stimuli-responsive block copolymers comprising temperature-responsive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) and biodegradable pH-responsive poly(l-lysine) (PLL) of varying chain length were synthesized by a combination of free radical polymerization and ring opening polymerization. The block copolymers formed micelles and vesicles (polymersomes) in response to temperature and pH, respectively, in aqueous solution. The nanoassemblies were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. Encapsulation of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic dyes in the polymersomes was shown. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded in the polymersomes and its controlled release in response to the two stimuli, independently and jointly, was studied. The drug was found to be released due to stimuli-induced increased permeability without disassembly of the polymersomes. A significant increase in the cellular uptake of the drug-loaded polymersomes at hyperthermia conditions was demonstrated at 41 °C and release of the drug upon localization in lysosomes was observed. Cellular internalization pathway of the polymersomes was investigated by competitive inhibition assay and a combination of endocytic pathways dominated by caveolae-mediated mechanism was found to be operative.

Preparation of polymer nanoparticle-based complex coacervate hydrogels using polymerisation-induced self-assembly derived nanogels

This paper reports a generic method to prepare polymer nanoparticle-based complex coacervate (PNCC) hydrogels by employing rationally designed nanogels synthesised by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA). Specifically, a poly(potassium 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) (PKSPMA) macromolecular chain-transfer agent (macro-CTA) was synthesised via RAFT solution polymerisation followed by chain-extension with a statistical copolymer of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) at pH 2. Thus, pH-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) comprising a hydrophobic polyacid core-forming block and a sulfonate-functional stabiliser block were formed. With the introduction of methacrylic acid into the core of the NPs, they become swollen with increasing pH, as judged by dynamic light scattering (DLS), indicating nanogel-type behaviour. PNCC hydrogels were prepared by simply mixing the PISA-derived nanogels and cationic branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) at 20% w/w. In the absence of MAA in the core of the NPs, gel formation was not observed. The mass ratio between the nanogels and bPEI affected resulting hydrogel strength and a mixture of bPEI and PKSPMA₆₈-P(BzMA_0.6-stat-MAA_0.4)₃₀₀ NPs with a mass ratio of 0.14 at pH ∼7 resulted in a hydrogel with a storage modulus of approximately 2000 Pa, as determined by oscillatory rheology. This PNCC hydrogel was shear-thinning and injectable, with recovery of gel strength occurring rapidly after the removal of shear.

Recent strategies to develop pH-sensitive injectable hydrogels

"Smart" biomaterials that are responsive to pathological abnormalities are an appealing class of therapeutic platforms for the development of personalized medications. The development of such therapeutic platforms requires novel techniques that could precisely deliver therapeutic agents to the diseased tissues, resulting in enhanced therapeutic effects without harming normal tissues. Among various therapeutic platforms, injectable pH-responsive biomaterials are promising biomaterials that respond to the change in environmental pH. Aqueous solutions of injectable pH-responsive biomaterials exhibit a phase transition from sol-to-gel in response to environmental pH changes. The injectable pH-responsive hydrogel depot can provide spatially and temporally controlled release of various bioactive agents including chemotherapeutic drugs, peptides, and proteins. Therapeutic agents are imbibed into hydrogels by simple mixing without the use of toxic solvents and used for long-term storage or in situ injection using a syringe or catheter that could form a stable gel and acts as a controlled release depot in a minimally invasive manner. Tunable physicochemical properties of the hydrogels, such as biodegradability, ability to interact with drugs and mechanical properties, can control the release of the therapeutic agent. This review highlights the advances in the design and development of biodegradable and in situ forming injectable pH-responsive biomaterials that respond to the physiological conditions. Special attention has been paid to the development of amphoteric pH-responsive biomaterials and their utilization in biomedical applications. We also highlight key challenges and future directions of pH-responsive biomaterials in clinical translation.

Recombinant protein polymer-antibody conjugates for applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine

Currently, there are over 100 antibody-based therapeutics on the market for the treatment of various diseases. The increasing importance of antibody treatment is further highlighted by the recent FDA emergency use authorization of certain antibody therapies for COVID-19 treatment. Protein-based materials have gained momentum for antibody delivery due to their biocompatibility, tunable chemistry, monodispersity, and straightforward synthesis and purification. In this review, we discuss progress in engineering the molecular features of protein-based biomaterials, in particular recombinant protein polymers, for introducing novel functionalities and enhancing the delivery properties of antibodies and related binding protein domains.

Materials with Tunable Optical Properties for Wearable Epidermal Sensing in Health Monitoring

Advances in wearable epidermal sensors have revolutionized the way that physiological signals are captured and measured for health monitoring. One major challenge is to convert physiological signals to easily readable signals in a convenient way. One possibility for wearable epidermal sensors is based on visible readouts. There are a range of materials whose optical properties can be tuned by parameters such as temperature, pH, light, and electric fields. Herein, this review covers and highlights a set of materials with tunable optical properties and their integration into wearable epidermal sensors for health monitoring. Specifically, the recent progress, fabrication, and applications of these materials for wearable epidermal sensors are summarized and discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for the next generation wearable devices are proposed.

Aldehyde-functional thermoresponsive diblock copolymer worm gels exhibit strong mucoadhesion

A series of thermoresponsive diblock copolymer worm gels is prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) aqueous dispersion polymerization of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate using a water-soluble methacrylic precursor bearing pendent cis-diol groups. Selective oxidation using an aqueous solution of sodium periodate affords the corresponding aldehyde-functional worm gels. The aldehyde groups are located within the steric stabilizer chains and the aldehyde content can be adjusted by varying the periodate/cis-diol molar ratio. These aldehyde-functional worm gels are evaluated in terms of their mucoadhesion performance with the aid of a fluorescence microscopy-based assay. Using porcine urinary bladder mucosa as a model substrate, we demonstrate that these worm gels offer a comparable degree of mucoadhesion to that afforded by chitosan, which is widely regarded to be a 'gold standard' positive control in this context. The optimum degree of aldehyde functionality is approximately 30%: lower degrees of functionalization lead to weaker mucoadhesion, whereas higher values compromise the desirable thermoresponsive behavior of these worm gels.

RAFT-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly (RAFT-PISA): current status and future directions

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) combines polymerization and self-assembly in a single step with distinct efficiency that has set it apart from the conventional solution self-assembly processes. PISA holds great promise for large-scale production, not only because of its efficient process for producing nano/micro-particles with high solid content, but also thanks to the facile control over the particle size and morphology. Since its invention, many research groups around the world have developed new and creative approaches to broaden the scope of PISA initiations, morphologies and applications, etc. The growing interest in PISA is certainly reflected in the increasing number of publications over the past few years, and in this review, we aim to summarize these recent advances in the emerging aspects of RAFT-mediated PISA. These include (1) non-thermal initiation processes, such as photo-, enzyme-, redox- and ultrasound-initiation; the achievements of (2) high-order structures, (3) hybrid materials and (4) stimuli-responsive nano-objects by design and adopting new monomers and new processes; (5) the efforts in the realization of upscale production by utilization of high throughput technologies, and finally the (6) applications of current PISA nano-objects in different fields and (7) its future directions.

Synthesis of low glass transition temperature worms comprising a poly(styrene-stat-n-butyl acrylate) core segment via polymerization-induced self-assembly in RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerization

Synthesis of nanodimensional polymeric worms of low glass transition temperature using aqueous polymerization-induced self-assembly.

Synthesis of High-Performance Aqueous Fluorescent Nanodispersions for Textile Printing-A Study of Influence of Moles Ratio on Fastness Properties

Aqueous fluorescent dispersions containing dyed acrylic-based copolymer nanoparticles possess significant credentials concerning green technology as compared to those prepared with the conventional vinyl-based monomers in textile and garment sectors; however, their essential textile fastness properties are yet to achieve. In the present work, a series of acrylic nanodispersions were synthesized by varying the moles ratio of benzyl methacrylate (BZMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) monomers. This was done to study their effect on dye aggregation and dyed polymer particles agglomeration. FT-IR spectral analysis showed the formation of polymer structures, while Malvern Analyzer, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis suggested that the particles are spherical in shape and their size is less than 200 nm. The obtained nanodispersions were later applied on cotton fabrics for the evaluation of wash fastness and colour migration. Premier color scan spectrophotometer and zeta potential measurement studies suggested that colour migration of printed cotton fabrics increased with an increasing agglomeration of particles and it was also observed to increase with the moles ratio of MMA and zeta potentials.

Salt-Dependent Phase Transition Behavior of Doubly Thermoresponsive Poly(sulfobetaine)-Based Diblock Copolymer Thin Films

The water vapor-induced swelling, as well as subsequent phase-transition kinetics, of thin films of a diblock copolymer (DBC) loaded with different amounts of the salt NaBr, is investigated in situ. In dilute aqueous solution, the DBC features an orthogonally thermoresponsive behavior. It consists of a zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine) block, namely, poly(4-(N-(3'-methacrylamidopropyl)-N,N-dimethylammonio) butane-1-sulfonate) (PSBP), showing an upper critical solution temperature, and a nonionic block, namely, poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM), exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature. The swelling kinetics in D₂O vapor at 15 °C and the phase transition kinetics upon heating the swollen film to 60 °C and cooling back to 15 °C are followed with simultaneous time-of-flight neutron reflectometry and spectral reflectance measurements. These are complemented by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The collapse temperature of PNIPMAM and the swelling temperature of PSBP are found at lower temperatures than in aqueous solution, which is attributed to the high polymer concentration in the thin-film geometry. Upon inclusion of sub-stoichiometric amounts (relative to the monomer units) of NaBr in the films, the water incorporation is significantly increased. This increase is mainly attributed to a salting-in effect on the zwitterionic PSBP block. Whereas the addition of NaBr notably shifts the swelling temperature of PSBP to lower temperatures, the collapse temperature of PNIPMAM remains unaffected by the presence of salt in the films.

Programming Gels Over a Wide pH Range Using Multicomponent Systems

Multicomponent hydrogels offer a tremendous opportunity for preparing useful and exciting materials that cannot be accessed using a single component. Here, we describe an unusual multi‐component low‐molecular weight gelling system that exhibits pH‐responsive behavior involving cooperative hydrogen bonding between the components, allowing it to maintain a gel phase across a wide pH range. Unlike traditional acid‐triggered gels, our system undergoes a change in the underlying molecular packing and maintains the β‐sheet structure both at acidic and basic pH. We further establish that autonomous programming between these two gel states is possible by an enzymatic reaction which allows us to prepare gels with improved mechanical properties.

One-pot synthesis and aqueous solution properties of pH-responsive schizophrenic diblock copolymer nanoparticles prepared via RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization

Well-defined doubly pH-responsive schizophrenic diblock copolymer nanoparticles with tunable isoelectric points are prepared via RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization using an efficient one-pot protocol.

Forced gradient copolymerisation: a simplified approach for polymerisation-induced self-assembly

In this work, a novel and versatile gradient copolymerisation approach to simplify polymeric nanoparticle synthesis through polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) is reported.

Poly(diallyldimethylammonium) based poly(ionic liquid) di- and triblock copolymers by PISA as matrices for ionogel membranes

Poly(diallyldimethylammonium)-b-polystyrene AB and ABA block copolymers were synthesized using MADIX under PISA conditions. Ionogels for sodium batteries were prepared using the poly(ionic liquid) triblock copolymers.

Recent trends in protein and peptide-based biomaterials for advanced drug delivery

Engineering protein and peptide-based materials for drug delivery applications has gained momentum due to their biochemical and biophysical properties over synthetic materials, including biocompatibility, ease of synthesis and purification, tunability, scalability, and lack of toxicity. These biomolecules have been used to develop a host of drug delivery platforms, such as peptide- and protein-drug conjugates, injectable particles, and drug depots to deliver small molecule drugs, therapeutic proteins, and nucleic acids. In this review, we discuss progress in engineering the architecture and biological functions of peptide-based biomaterials -naturally derived, chemically synthesized and recombinant- with a focus on the molecular features that modulate their structure-function relationships for drug delivery.

“Smart” self-assembled structures: toward intelligent dual responsive drug delivery systems

In the current review, we summarized the polymer and peptide-based schizophrenic copolymers which could form micellar and vesicular (polymersome) systems providing novel structures with beneficial applications.

A bio-responsive 6-mercaptopurine/doxorubicin based "Click Chemistry" polymeric prodrug for cancer therapy

A novel bio-responsive co-delivery system based on Poly(DEA)-b-Poly(ABMA-co-OEGMA) (PDPAO, prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization) copolymers was constructed for enhanced cellular internalization and effective combination therapy. Reduction-sensitive 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) based prodrug and pH-sensitive doxorubicin (DOX) based prodrug were grafted onto PDPAO by an azide-alkyne "Click Chemistry" reaction to acquire a pH/reduction-sensitive polymeric prodrug (PDPAO@imine-DOX/cis-6MP), which was able to self-aggregate to form polymeric micelles (M(DOX/6MP)) with an average particle size of 116 ± 2 nm in the water. The resultant micelles could maintain a stable sphere structure and show stability with a small particles' dispersion index in the blood. Importantly, it has been observed that the pH-sensitive surface charge-conversion accompanied pH-triggered DOX release in the biomimetic extracellular acidic environment of tumor tissue and a rapid dual-drug release triggered by pH and GSH in the intracellular environment. The in vitro evaluation of micelles on human cervical cancer (HeLa) and human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells showed an enhanced cellular uptake because of charge-conversion and exhibited a higher cell-killing performance. Moreover, the graft ratio of DOX and 6MP showed the ability to adjust the cytotoxicity; the micelles with a graft ratio of 2: 1 (M(DOX₂/6MP)) displayed the higher cellular inhibition on either HeLa (combination index (CI) = 0.62) or HL-60 (CI = 0.35) cells. Overall, this novel dual-drug-conjugated delivery system might have important potential applications for combination therapy of cancer.

Emerging Trends in Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

In this Perspective, we summarize recent progress in polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) for the rational synthesis of block copolymer nanoparticles with various morphologies. Much of the PISA literature has been based on thermally initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Herein, we pay particular attention to alternative PISA protocols, which allow the preparation of nanoparticles with improved control over copolymer morphology and functionality. For example, initiation based on visible light, redox chemistry, or enzymes enables the incorporation of sensitive monomers and fragile biomolecules into block copolymer nanoparticles. Furthermore, PISA syntheses and postfunctionalization of the resulting nanoparticles (e.g., cross-linking) can be conducted sequentially without intermediate purification by using various external stimuli. Finally, PISA formulations have been optimized via high-throughput polymerization and recently evaluated within flow reactors for facile scale-up syntheses.

Catalyst-Free One-Step Preparation of Self-Crosslinked pH-Responsive Vesicles

The fabrication of block copolymer (BCP) vesicles with controlled membrane permeability and promising stability remains a considerable challenge. Herein, a new type of pH-responsive and self-crosslinked vesicle based on a hydrolytically hindered urea bond is reported. This kind of vesicle is formed by the self-assembly of a pH-responsive and hydrolytically self-crosslinkable copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly[2-(3-(tert-butyl)-3-ethylureido)ethyl methacrylate-co-2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PEG-b-P(TBEU-co-DEA)). The BCP can be easily synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 2-(3-(tert-butyl)-3-ethylureido)ethyl methacrylate (TBEU) and 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEA) using PEG-based macro-chain transfer agent. The copolymer could self-assemble into stable vesicles by the hydrophobic interaction and in situ cross-linking between amines and isocyanates after the hydrolysis of the hindered urea bonds without any catalyst. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies show that the vesicles exhibit enhanced stability against the dilution of organic solvent, and the size can be adjusted through the change of pH values. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase-loaded vesicles can act as nano-reactor and enable free diffusion of small molecules into the vesicles, followed by the significantly improved fluorescence intensity of phosphate-caged fluorescein. This self-crosslinking and pH-sensitive vesicles may serve as a smart platform in controlled drug delivery and molecular reactor.

l-Peptide functionalized dual-responsive nanoparticles for controlled paclitaxel release and enhanced apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Nanoparticles and macromolecular carriers have been widely used to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutics, largely through passive accumulation provided by their enhanced permeability and retention effect. However, the therapeutic efficacy of nanoscale anticancer drug delivery systems is severely truncated by their low tumor-targetability and inefficient drug release at the target site. Here, the design and development of novel l-peptide functionalized dual-responsive nanoparticles (l-CS-g-PNIPAM-PTX) for active targeting and effective treatment of GRP78-overexpressing human breast cancer in vitro and in vivo are reported. l-CS-g-PNIPAM-PTX NPs have a relative high drug loading (13.5%) and excellent encapsulation efficiency (74.3%) and an average diameter of 275 nm. The release of PTX is slow at pH 7.4 and 25 °C but greatly accelerated at pH 5.0 and 37 °C. MTT assays and confocal experiments showed that the l-CS-g-PNIPAM-PTX NPs possessed high targetability and antitumor activity toward GRP78 overexpressing MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. As expected, l-CS-g-PNIPAM-PTX NPs could effectively treat mice bearing MDA-MB-231 human breast tumor xenografts with little side effects, resulting in complete inhibition of tumor growth and a high survival rate over an experimental period of 60 days. These results indicate that l-peptide-functionalized acid - and thermally activated - PTX prodrug NPs have a great potential for targeted chemotherapy in breast cancer.

Synthesis of Well-Defined Pyrrolidone-Based Homopolymers and Stimulus-Responsive Diblock Copolymers via RAFT Aqueous Solution Polymerization of 2-(N-Acryloyloxy)ethylpyrrolidone

Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PNVP) is a well-known, highly polar, nonionic water-soluble polymer. However, N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) usually exhibits strongly non-ideal behavior when copolymerized with methacrylic or styrenic monomers. Moreover, NVP is not particularly well-controlled under living radical polymerization conditions. For these reasons, alternative pyrrolidone-based monomers have been investigated. For example, the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 2-(N-methacryloyloxy)ethylpyrrolidone (NMEP) has been recently investigated using various polymerization formulations. However, PNMEP homopolymers are significantly less hydrophilic than PNVP and exhibit inverse temperature solubility in aqueous solution. In the present work, we studied the RAFT aqueous solution polymerization of 2-(N-acryloyloxy)ethylpyrrolidone (NAEP) using either AIBN at 70 °C or a low-temperature redox initiator at 30 °C. PNAEP homopolymers are obtained in high yield (>99%) with good control (M_w/M_n < 1.20) for target degrees of polymerization (DP) of up to 400 using the latter initiator, which produced relatively fast rates of polymerization. However, targeting DPs above 400 led to lower NAEP conversions and broader molecular weight distributions. 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (OEGA) were chain-extended using a PNAEP_x macro-CTA via RAFT aqueous solution polymerization, yielding double-hydrophilic acrylic diblock copolymers with high conversions (>99%) and good control (M_w/M_n < 1.31). In addition, a PNAEP₉₅ macro-CTA was chain-extended via RAFT aqueous solution polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) at 22 °C. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicated that heating above the lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAM led to so-called “anomalous micellization” at 35 °C and the formation of near-monodisperse spherical micelles at 40 °C. Finally, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEA) was polymerized using an N-morpholine-functionalized trithiocarbonate-based RAFT chain transfer agent and subsequently chain-extended using NAEP to form a novel pH-responsive diblock copolymer. Above the pK_a of PDEA (∼7.3), DLS and ¹H NMR studies indicated the formation of well-defined PDEA-core spherical micelles.

Photochemistry for Well-Defined Polymers in Aqueous Media: From Fundamentals to Polymer Nanoparticles to Bioconjugates

This review article highlights recent developments in the field of photochemistry and photochemical reversible deactivation radical polymerization applied to aqueous polymerizations. Photochemistry is a topic of significant interest in the fields of organic, polymer, and materials chemistry because it allows challenging reactions to be performed under mild conditions. Aqueous polymerization is of significant interest because water is an environmentally benign solvent, and the use of water enables complex polymer self-assembly and bioconjugation processes to occur. This review focuses on powerful new developments in photochemical aqueous polymerization reactions and their applications to the synthesis of well-defined polymer nano-objects and bioconjugates. It is anticipated that these aqueous photopolymerizations will enable the next generation of self-assembled structures and biohybrid materials to be developed under mild and environmentally friendly conditions.

Azo Coupling Reaction Induced Macromolecular Self-Assembly in Aqueous Solution

This communication reported azo coupling reaction induced macromolecular self-assembly in aqueous solution. Diblock copolymer (PEG-b-PSNHBoc) consisting of a hydrophilic PEG block, and a hydrophobic N-Boc protected poly(p-vinylaniline) block was synthesized by RAFT polymerization. Then double hydrophilic diblock copolymer (PEG-b-PSN₂⁺) composed of PEG and PS based macromolecular diazonium salts was prepared by the diazotization of PEG-b-PSNH₂, which was obtained by deprotection of PEG-b-PSNHBoc. As N,N-dimethylaniline was gradually added into the freshly prepared PEG-b-PSN₂⁺ aqueous solution, the azo coupling reaction between N,N-dimethylaniline and diazonium salts took place, which would lead to the generation of azobenzene pendants. Due to the poor solubility of azobenzene pendants in water, the formed hydrophobic polymeric chains aggregated to form the self-assembly colloidal particles. By incorporating a fluorescent group into the aniline, the aggregates formed through azo coupling reaction induced macromolecular self-assembly showed enzyme-triggered fluorescent behaviors.

Light-mediated one-pot synthesis of an ABC triblock copolymer in aqueous solution via RAFT and the effect of pH on copolymer self-assembly

We present the triblock copolymer self-assembly resulting into different morphologies that occurred during the polymerization of a hydrophobic third block in aqueous solution.