Oxidation-responsive polyether block copolymers lead to non-ionic polymer surfactants with multiple amine N-oxides

Oxidation of tertiary amines leads to multiple amine N-oxide moieties and a highly polar polyether structure. Combination with the apolar poly(propylene oxide) affords unusual surfactants.

Recent Advances in Dual Temperature Responsive Block Copolymers and Their Potential as Biomedical Applications

The development of stimuli responsive polymers has progressed significantly with novel preparation techniques, which has allowed access to new materials with unique properties. Dual thermoresponsive (double temperature responsive) block copolymers are particularly of interest as their properties can change depending on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) or upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of each segment. For instance, these block copolymers can change from being hydrophilic, to amphiphilic or to hydrophobic simply by changing the solution temperature without any additional chemicals and the block copolymers can change from being fully solubilized to self-assembled structures to macroscopic aggregation/precipitation. Based on the unique solution properties, these dual thermo-responsive block copolymers are expected to be suitable for biomedical applications. This review is divided into three parts; LCST-LCST types of block copolymers, UCST-LCST types of block copolymers, and their potential as biomedical applications.

PNIPAmx–PPO36–PNIPAmx thermo-sensitive triblock copolymers: chain conformation and adsorption behavior on a hydrophobic gold surface

The presence of the PNIPAm block is not a sufficient condition for the complex adsorption behavior of PNIPAm_x–PPO₃₆–PNIPAm_x triblock copolymers.

Double thermoresponsive di- and triblock copolymers based on N-vinylcaprolactam and N-vinylpyrrolidone: synthesis and comparative study of solution behaviour

Controlled radical polymerization produces poly(N-vinylamide)s with thermally induced multistep assembly.

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia: focus on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Due to their unique magnetic properties, excellent biocompatibility as well as multi-purpose biomedical potential (e.g., applications in cancer therapy and general drug delivery), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are attracting increasing attention in both pharmaceutical and industrial communities. The precise control of the physiochemical properties of these magnetic systems is crucial for hyperthermia applications, as the induced heat is highly dependent on these properties. In this review, the limitations and recent advances in the development of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for hyperthermia are presented.

Functional Polyether-based Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Synthesized by Atom-transfer Radical Polymerization

This review deals with the synthesis, physical properties, and applications of amphiphilic block copolymers based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO). Oligomeric PEO and PPO are frequently functionalized by converting their OH end groups into macroinitiators for atom-transfer radical polymerization. They are then used to generate additional blocks as part of complex copolymer architectures. Adding hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks, respectively, leads to polymers with amphiphilic character in water. They are surface active and form micelles above a critical micellization concentration. Together with recent developments in post-polymerization techniques through quantitative coupling reactions (‘click’ chemistry) a broad variety of tailored functionalities can be introduced to the amphiphilic block copolymers. Examples are outlined including stimuli responsiveness, membrane penetrating ability, formation of multi-compartmentalized micelles, etc.