Synchronous Synthesis of Polymeric Vesicles with Controllable Size and Low‐Polydispersity by Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly

Abstract

Comprehensive Summary The size and size distribution of polymeric nanoparticles have great impact on their physicochemical and biological properties. Polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) has been demonstrated to be an efficient method to fabricate various polymeric nanoparticles, among which polymeric vesicles have attracted great interest due to their unique hollow structure. However, polymeric vesicles with relatively broad size distributions and random size are normally formed, which is problematic for many potential applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of polymeric vesicles with low‐polydispersity and controllable size by polymerization‐induced self‐assembly. A mixed macro RAFT agent of three different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGm‐CPADB) was used to mediate the RAFT dispersion copolymerization of 7‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethoxy)‐4‐methylcoumarin (CMA) and benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), which generated vesicles with low‐polydispersity (< 0.1) and controllable size in the scope of sub‐100 nm. In comparison, RAFT dispersion copolymerization of CMA and BzMA using a single PEG‐CPADB as the macro RAFT agent generated vesicles with adjustable but obviously larger size and broader size distributions (> 0.1). The results demonstrate that the ternary stabilizers play a crucial role in the formation of small and low‐polydispersity vesicles.

Facile Control of Molecular Weight Distribution via Droplet‐Flow Light‐Driven Reversible‐Deactivation Radical Polymerization†

“…Reversible‐deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) [ 4‐6 ] is a powerful method for precise synthesis of polymers. [ 7‐9 ] In recent years, as enlightened by the importance of MWDs, considerable efforts have been made to regulate MWDs via RDRP (Figure 1a). [ 2 ] For example, the Fors group has carried out systematic studies to tailor the shapes of MWDs, [ 10‐11 ] and revealed their striking impacts on properties.…”

Nucleic Acid‐Backboned Chimeric Polymers with Designable Physics and Chemistry

“…Recently, the precise preparation of polymers has been central to the development of this discipline. [ 2 ] However, achieving precise control of the main and side chains, as well as the functional groups remains difficult but critical. Additionally, since regulating the geometry of chains, further procedural, and precise control of inter‐ and intra‐chain interactions is the key to the fusion of polymers and supramolecules to achieve future multi‐level precision and intelligent regulation.…”

Greatly Enhanced Accessibility and Reproducibility of Worm‐like Micelles by In Situ Crosslinking Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly

“…Worm‐like micelles are particularly interesting structures due to their highly anisotropic morphologies, which offer diverse applications in material science, such as sterilisable gels for cell culture/storage/transportation, rheology modifiers, nanofiltration, superflocculants, and efficient Pickering emulsifiers [1–6] . Polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) has been demonstrated to be a powerful strategy for fabrication of various polymeric nanoparticles [7–23] . Compared with the traditional self‐assembly method, efficiently simplified procedures and high solids content are the most notable advantages of PISA [24–40] .…”