Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Copolymers with Sequence-Controlled Alternating Hydrophilic–Hydrophobic Pendant Side Chains

Abstract

To design versatile ordered nanomorphologies from the alternating sequence-controlled amphiphilic copolymers, in the current work, we have investigated the self-assembly behavior of a series of alternating copolymers, prepared through the reversible addition− fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) functionalized styrene (VBP) and fatty acid attached maleimide (MF) monomers. The copolymers efficiently induced self-aggregation of the pendant side chains to afford both micelle and vesicle nanostructures in aqueous medium depending on the amphiphilicity of the side chains, as evident from dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The copolymers also induced thermoresponsive phase transition in water with lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in the range of 69−88 °C depending on the mPEG side chain lengths, as determined from UV−vis spectroscopy. The hydrophobic dye and hydrophilic drug loading abilities of the synthesized copolymers were investigated using nile red and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX•HCl) as model compounds, respectively. The copolymers further formed reverse micelles in hexane owing to the presence of hydrophobic fatty acid pendants in the side chains, for which hexane is a good solvent. Additionally, the in vitro cytotoxicity study was performed for the synthesized alternating copolymers which revealed their nontoxic nature up to 500 μg/mL polymer concentration. Thus, the current work represents a fundamental strategy to construct biocompatible polymeric nanostructures from amphiphilic alternating copolymers, endowing noteworthy features for potential advantages.

Multi stimuli‐responsive HPC‐PAA/Eu(AA)3Phen complex nanogels and their decoration with 3‐APBA for detecting glucose

“…Hence, the nanogels swell and their particle size increases. With the increase of temperature, the nanogels become more and more hydrophobic, and the size of nanogels decreases 26 . According to the results of DLS curves, the VPTT of HPC‐PAA/Eu(AA) 3 Phen nanogels is about 40°C, which is consistent well with the previous works.…”

Assessment of various nano‐clays in bromobutyl rubber hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blend for improved gas barrier applications

“…The stability of BIIR‐HNBR‐clay composites towards thermal degradation was investigated at nitrogen atmosphere employing thermogravimetrical analyzer 19,20,21 . The thermal characteristics of all the rubber nanocomposites were studied from TGA (thermogravitograms) and DTG (derivatiograms) curves shown in Figure 6 (a) and (b) respectively.…”

“…The stability of BIIR-HNBR-clay composites towards thermal degradation was investigated at nitrogen atmosphere employing thermogravimetrical analyzer. 19,20,21 The thermal characteristics of all the rubber nanocomposites were studied from TGA (thermogravitograms) and DTG (derivatiograms) curves shown in Figure 6 (a) and (b) respectively. Table 6 reveals the T 95 (initial degradation temperature),T max (maximum degradation temperature), and T mrv (the temperature at maximum reactive velocity) of all the rubber nanocomposites.…”

Effect of chain extrender on the compatibility, mechanical and gas barrier properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/poly(propylene carbonate) bio‐composites

“…The interaction between the molecular chains will be stronger, and the glass transition temperature and melting point will change (usually close to each other) if two polymers have good compatibility. 46,47 With the increase of ADR content, the glass transition temperature of PBAT in the blend gradually increases and the melting point gradually decreases, indicating an enhanced interaction between PBAT and PPC molecular chains. However, the glass transition temperature of PPC is almost unchanged, which may be due to the PPC molecular chain endcapping caused by the addition of ADR, resulting in the more stabled molecular chain structure of PPC.…”