Construction of pH‐Responsive Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Dynamic Covalent Bonds for Tunable Drug Release

Abstract

In the present work, we propose a novel strategy for preparing supramolecular self‐assemblies for pH‐responsive drug delivery. In alkaline solutions, a novel supra‐amphiphile can be fabricated by a cationic surfactant dodecyl[2‐(4‐formylphenoxy)ethyl] dimethylammonium bromide (C12‐CHO) and a drug molecule (isonicotinic acid hydrazide) via a dynamic covalent bond. The constructed supra‐amphiphile can hierarchically self‐assemble into ordered micelles, which facilitates its use for drug delivery. Interestingly, the supra‐amphiphile can facilely disassemble under specific acidic conditions, which is convenient for controlled release of drugs. Thus, this ionic amphiphile‐drug system paves a way for realizing pH‐driven targeted drug release.