Controlling Nanomaterial Size and Shape for Biomedical Applications via Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly

Abstract

Rapid developments in the polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) technique have paved the way for the environmentally friendly production of nanoparticles with tunable size and shape for a diverse range of applications. In this feature article, the biomedical applications of PISA nanoparticles and the substantial progress made in controlling their size and shape are highlighted. In addition to early investigations into drug delivery, applications such as medical imaging, tissue culture, and blood cryopreservation are also described. Various parameters for controlling the morphology of PISA nanoparticles are discussed, including the degree of polymerization of the macro-CTA and core-forming polymers, the concentration of macro-CTA and core-forming monomers, the solid content of the final products, the solution pH, the thermoresponsitivity of the macro-CTA, the macro-CTA end group, and the initiator concentration. Finally, several limitations and challenges for the PISA technique that have been recently addressed, along with those that will require further efforts into the future, will be highlighted.

Polymerization‐Induced Thermal Self‐Assembly of Functional and Thermo‐Responsive Diblock Copolymer Nano‐Objects via RAFT Aqueous Polymerization

“…The resulting diblock copolymers with controllable block lengths and narrow molecular weight distributions self‐assemble in situ into self‐stabilized nano‐objects with a wide variety of morphologies, including spherical micelles, wormlike micelles, and vesicles, proving to be promising candidates for drug delivery applications. Morphology control is achieved by simply varying the chain lengths of the polymer blocks and the solvent concentration …”

Interfacial crosslinking of self‐assembled triblock copolymer nanoparticles via alkoxysilane hydrolysis and condensation

“…The volume PSDs of all copolymer nanoparticles were monomodal and typically of low polydispersity. Typical for spherical polymer nanoparticles prepared by PISA, the average particle size increased with increasing length of the core‐forming block [see Fig. (D), filled symbols].…”

In Situ Encapsulation of Nile Red or Doxorubicin during RAFT‐Mediated Emulsion Polymerization via Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly for Biomedical Applications

“…Further advantages are that various chemical functionalities11 and NP morphologies12,17,18 can be obtained by adjusting the solids content18,19 with no need for stabilizers or surfactants, as the NPs can be efficiently stabilized by the hydrophilic shell 20. RAFT combined with PISA can be utilized to produce stable NPs as nanocarriers for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and bioimaging 17,21–26. A pioneering example was presented by Davis and co‐workers24 demonstrating one‐pot in situ encapsulation of NR using PISA, in a dispersion polymerization using methanol as solvent.…”

“…[20] RAFT combined with PISA can be utilized to produce stable NPs as nanocarriers for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery and bioimaging. [17,[21][22][23][24][25][26] A pioneering example was presented by Davis and co-workers [24] demonstrating one-pot in situ encapsulation of NR using PISA, in a dispersion polymerization using methanol as solvent. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the encapsulation of hydrophobic agents concurrently with the formation of NPs, using RAFT-mediated emulsion polymerization and PISA in water.…”