PEGylated tetra(aniline) ABA triblock structure PEG-TANI-PEG ( 2 ) consisting of tetra(aniline) (TANI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was synthesized by coupling the tosylated-PEG to boc-protected NH 2 /NH 2 TANI ( 1 ) through a simple nucleophilic substitution reaction. Deprotection of 2 resulted in a leucoemeraldine base state of TANI ( 2 -LEB), which was oxidized to stable emeraldine base ( 2 -EB) state. 2 -EB was doped with 1 M HCl to emeraldine salt ( 2 -ES) state. FTIR, 1 H and 13 C NMR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, and MS (ESI) was used for structural characterization. The synthesized triblock structure exhibited good electroactivity as confirmed by CV and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Self-assembling of the triblock structure in aqueous medium was assessed by DLS, TEM, and SEM. Spherical aggregates were observed with variable sizes depicting the effect of concentration and oxidation of 2 -LEB. Further, the aggregates showed acid/base sensitivity as evaluated by doping and dedoping of 2 -EB with 1 M HCl and 1 M NH 4 OH, respectively. Future applications in drug delivery and sensors are envisaged for such tunable self-assembled nanostructures in aqueous media.

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The drug delivery system (DDS) often causes toxicity, triggering undesired cellular injuries. Thus, developing supramolecules used as DDS with tunable self-assembly and nontoxic behavior is highly desired. To address this, we aimed to develop a tunable amphiphilic ABA-type triblock copolymer that is nontoxic to human blood cells but also capable of self-assembling, binding and releasing the clinically used drug dexamethasone. We synthesized an ABA-type amphiphilic triblock copolymer (P2L) by incorporating tetra(aniline) TANI as a hydrophobic and redox active segment along with monomethoxy end-capped polyethylene glycol (mPEG2k; Mw = 2000 g mol−1) as biocompatible, flexible and hydrophilic part. Cell cytotoxicity was measured in whole human blood in vitro and lung cancer cells. Polymer-drug interactions were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and computational analysis. Our synthesized copolymer P2L exhibited tuned self-assembly behavior with and without external stimuli and showed no toxicity in human blood samples. Computational analysis showed that P2L can encapsulate the clinically used drug dexamethasone and that drug uptake or release can also be triggered under oxidation or low pH conditions. In conclusion, copolymer P2L is nontoxic to human blood cells with the potential to carry and release anticancer/anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone. These findings may open up further investigations into implantable drug delivery systems/devices with precise drug administration and controlled release at specific locations.

The increasing focus on bionanocomposites as environmentally friendly solutions for sustainable applications forms the crux of this study. We have explored the influence of incorporating 2% graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of blends containing glycerol plasticized thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐ran‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA), based matrix films through a solution casting method. Starch was successfully obtained from three varied sources: corn, cassava, and potato, with confirmation via FT‐IR and XRD analysis. We formulated and examined varying proportions of TPS/SEBS‐g‐MA (ranging from 10–50 wt.%), focusing on their biodegradability, and found that a 10 wt.% SEBS‐g‐MA concentration yielded optimal degradation rates, thus this was kept constant. The bionanocomposite films' were probed using techniques such as FT‐IR, XRD, mechanical strength testing, TGA, DSC, water absorption, and biodegradability studies. Our results indicate that GO incorporation resulted in a robust hydrogen bonding network within the cassava starch‐based bionanocomposite films, enhancing their mechanical strength while decreasing their moisture absorption. Upgraded thermal properties of these films were also evident from TGA and DSC results. Consequently, these materials show promising utility, particularly in the realm of food packaging.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved