Molecular brushes based on poly(amino acid)s: synthesis, structures, and applications

Abstract

Polymer science is witnessing rapid advancements in the precision construction of synthetic macromolecules. Beyond the impressive advances in molecular brush, the integration of poly(amino acid)s into bottlebrush architectures leads to a novel class of materials known as molecular brushes based on poly(amino acid)s (MBPAs). These materials not only possess biorelated functions but also enable the incorporation of the diverse secondary structures found in poly(amino acid)s into the bulk polymers. Here we present a comprehensive and critical summary of three synthetic strategies and three different constructions for MBPAs. Furthermore, we highlight their potential in the development of advanced materials for a broad range of applications, encompassing antimicrobial activity, pharmaceutical delivery, and bioimaging.

Molecular Bottlebrushes as Emerging Nanocarriers: Material Design and Biomedical Application

“…With the development of synthetic chemistry, a variety of efficient and controllable synthetic techniques, such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), − reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, − and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) − have been discovered, making it possible to obtain MBBs with tunable sizes, morphologies, and functions for many practical applications. There have been a few existing reviews on MBBs, which primarily concentrate on aspects such as synthesis, self-assembly behavior, or general discussions on applications. − However, they do not delve into great detail regarding the potential use of MBBs as nanocarriers for biomedical purposes. Recognizing this gap in the literature, we explore and discuss this specific aspect in our Review.…”