Summary: Thermally curable benzoxazine ring‐containing polystyrene macromonomers were synthesized and characterized. 1,4‐Dibromo‐2,5‐bis(bromomethyl)benzene and 1,4‐dibromo‐2‐(bromomethyl)benzene were used as initiators in the atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene. The resulting polymers were used in combination with 3‐aminophenylboronic acid hemisulfate, for a Suzuki coupling. The obtained polymers, with amino groups in the middle or end of the chains, were reacted with formaldehyde and phenol to yield benzoxazine ring‐containing macromonomers. In addition to the glass transition temperature of the polystyrene segment observed at ca. 105 °C, differential scanning calorimetry thermograms exhibit an exotherm at ca. 276 °C corresponding to the oxazine thermal polymerization. Both macromonomers undergo thermal curing with the formation of thermosets having polystyrene segments.Structure of the benzoxazine‐functionalized polystyrene.magnified imageStructure of the benzoxazine‐functionalized polystyrene.
The generation and fabrication of nanoscopic structures are of critical technological importance for future implementations in areas such as nanodevices and nanotechnology, biosensing, bioimaging, cancer targeting, and drug delivery. Applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in biological fields have been impeded by the incapability of their visualization using conventional methods. Therefore, fluorescence labeling of CNTs with various probes under physiological conditions has become a significant issue for their utilization in biological processes. Herein, we demonstrate a facile and additional fluorophore-free approach for cancer cell-imaging and diagnosis by combining multiwalled CNTs with a well-known conjugated polymer, namely, poly(p-phenylene) (PP). In this approach, PP decorated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was noncovalently (π-π stacking) linked to acid-treated CNTs. The obtained water self-dispersible, stable, and biocompatible f-CNT/PP-g-PEG conjugates were then bioconjugated to estrogen-specific antibody (anti-ER) via -COOH functionalities present on the side-walls of CNTs. The resulting conjugates were used as an efficient fluorescent probe for targeted imaging of estrogen receptor overexpressed cancer cells, such as MCF-7. In vitro studies and fluorescence microscopy data show that these conjugates can specifically bind to MCF-7 cells with high efficiency. The represented results imply that CNT-based materials could easily be fabricated by the described approach and used as an efficient "fluorescent probe" for targeting and imaging, thereby providing many new possibilities for various applications in biomedical sensing and diagnosis.
Musa, and with all of you, it has really been a great pleasure. Finally, during all stages involved in the preparation of this thesis, I am grateful to my family who have never stopped backing me up all my life for their encouragement, understanding, patience and support all through my education.
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