To enhance the limited degradability of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a straightforward method of synthesizing poly[(ethylene glycol)‐co‐(glycolic acid)] (P(EG‐co‐GA)) via a ruthenium‐catalyzed, post‐polymerization oxyfunctionalization of various PEGs is developed. Using this method, a set of copolymers with GA compositions of up to 8 mol% are prepared with minimal reduction in molecular weight (<10%) when compared to their commercially available starting materials. The P(EG‐co‐GA) copolymers are shown to undergo hydrolysis under mild conditions.
New monolithic materials comprising zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) located on the pore surface of poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith previously functionalized with N‐(3‐aminopropyl)‐imidazole have been prepared via a layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly strategy. These new ZIF‐8@monolith hybrids are used as solid‐phase carriers for enzyme immobilization. Their performance is demonstrated with immobilization of a model proteolytic enzyme trypsin. The best of the conjugates enable very efficient digestion of proteins that can be achieved in mere 43 s.
The synthesis of propargyl‐functional poly(carbonate)s with different content of glycidyl propargyl ether (GPE) units is achieved via the copolymerization of propargyl glycidyl ether and carbon dioxide. A new type of functional poly(carbonate) synthesized directly from CO2 and the glycidyl ether is obtained. The resulting polymers show moderate polydispersities in the range of 1.6–2.5 and molecular weights in the range of 7000–10 500 g mol−1. The synthesized copolymers with varying number of alkyne functionalities and benzyl azide are used for the copper‐catalyzed Huisgen‐1,3‐dipolar addition. Moreover, the presence of vicinal alkyne groups opens a general pathway to produce functional aliphatic poly(carbonate)s from a single polymer scaffold.
(1‐Adamantyl)methyl glycidyl ether (AdaGE) is introduced as a versatile monomer for oxyanionic polymerization, enabling controlled incorporation of adamantyl moieties in aliphatic polyethers. Via copolymerization with ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether (EEGE) and subsequent cleavage of the acetal protection groups of EEGE, hydrophilic linear polyglycerols with an adjustable amount of pendant adamantyl moieties are obtained. The adamantyl unit permits control over thermal properties and solubility profile of these polymers (LCST). Additionally, AdaGE is utilized as a termination agent in carbanionic polymerization, affording adamantyl‐terminated polymers. Using these structures as macroinitiators for the polymerization of ethylene oxide affords amphiphilic, in‐chain adamantyl‐functionalized block copolymers.
A simple and elegant approach to fabricate anisotropic P(VC‐co‐AAEM)/PS nanoparticles with controllable morphologies via emulsifier‐free seeded emulsion polymerization is presented. Non‐cross‐linked P(VC‐co‐AAEM) seeds with hydrophilic surface are first synthesized through copolymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) and acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM), which are used to prepare P(VC‐co‐AAEM)/PS NPs with multiple bulges by SEP of styrene. Electron microscopy observation indicates that the content of AAEM in seeds is crucial to control the phase separation and morphology of the composite NPs. Moreover, the thermodynamic immiscibility between PVC and PS is the driving force for the formation of PS bulges onto the P(VC‐co‐AAEM) seeds. The resultant anisotropic NPs with non‐cross‐linked feature may promisingly serve as compatibilizers for further polymer processing.
Lignin‐grafted copolymers, namely lignin‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA)), are synthesized via “grafting from” atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with the aid of lignin‐based macroinitiators. By manipulating the monomer feed ratios of MMA/BA, grafted copolymers with tunable glass transition temperatures (−10–40 °C) are obtained. These copolymers are evaluated as sustainable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The results suggest that the mechanical properties of these TPEs lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymers are improved significantly by comparing with those of linear P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymer counterparts, and the elastic strain recovery is nearly 70%. Lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymers exhibit high absorption in the range of the UV spectrum, which might allow for applications in UV‐blocking coatings.
A novel and robust route for the synthesis of a new amphiphilic brush copolymer, poly(glycidyl methacrylate)‐graft‐polyethylene glycol (PGMA‐g‐PEG), with high grafting densities of 97%–98% through a “grafting onto” method via carbon dioxide chemistry is reported. PGMA‐g‐PEG can self‐assemble and form stable spherical core–shell micelles in aqueous solution. Besides, the obtained PGMA‐g‐PEG polymer contains hydroxyurethane structures as the junction sites between the PGMA backbone and PEG side chain, which can be used for further modification.
A supramolecular block copolymer is prepared by the molecular recognition of nucleobases between poly(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate‐co‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)‐SS‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐adenine (P(MEO2MA‐co‐OEGMA)‐SS‐PCL‐A) and uracil‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐U). Because the block copolymer is linked by the combination of covalent (disulfide bond) and noncovalent (A U) bonds, it not only has similar properties to conventional covalently linked block copolymers but also possesses a dynamic and tunable nature. The copolymer can self‐assemble into micelles with a PCL core and P(MEO2MA‐co‐OEGMA)/PEG shell. The size and morphologies of the micelles/aggregates can be adjusted by altering the temperature, pH, salt concentration, or adding dithiothreitol (DTT) to the solution. The controlled release of Nile red is achieved at different environmental conditions.
A novel oral delivery system consisting of thermoresponsive zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA) and pH‐responsive poly(2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDPA) is synthesized via free radical polymerization. This copolymer can self‐aggregate into nanoparticles via electrostatic attraction between ammonium cation and sulfo‐anion of PSBMA and successfully encapsulate anticancer drug, curcumin (CUR), with highest loading content of 2.6% in the P(SBMA‐co‐DPA) nanoparticles. The stimuli‐responsive phase transition behaviors of P(SBMA‐co‐DPA) copolymers at different pH buffer solution show pH‐dependent upper critical solution temperature (UCST) attributed to the influence of protonation/deprotonation of the pH‐responsive DPA segments. Through the delicate adjustment of the PSBMA/PDPA molar ratios, the stimuli‐responsive phase transition could be suitable for physiological environment. The kinetic drug release profiles demonstrate that P(SBMA‐co‐DPA) nanoparticles have the potential as oral delivery carriers due to their effective release of entrapped drugs in the stimulated intestinal fluid and preventing the deterioration of drug in stimulated gastric fluid.
Furfuryl glycidyl ether (FGE) represents a highly versatile monomer for the preparation of reversibly cross‐linkable nanostructured materials via Diels–Alder reactions. Here, the use of FGE for the mid‐chain functionalization of a P2VP‐b‐PEO diblock copolymer is reported. The material features one furan moiety at the block junction, P2VP68‐FGE‐b‐PEO390, which can be subsequently addressed in Diels–Alder reactions using maleimide‐functionalized counterparts. The presence of the FGE moiety enables the introduction of dyes as model labels or the formation of hetero‐grafted brushes as shell on hybrid Au@Polymer nanoparticles. This renders P2VP68‐FGE‐b‐PEO390, a powerful tool for selective functionalization reactions, including the modification of surfaces.
A simple route is reported to synthesize colloidal particle clusters (CPCs) from self‐assembly of in situ poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(styrene‐co‐tert‐butyl acrylate) [PVDF/P(St‐co‐tBA)] Janus particles through one‐pot seeded emulsion single electron transfer radical polymerization. In the in situ Pickering‐like emulsion polymerization, the tBA/St/PVDF feed ratio and polymerization temperature are important for the formation of well‐defined CPCs. When the tBA/St/PVDF feed ratio is 0.75 g/2.5 g/0.5 g and the reaction temperature is 35 °C, relatively uniform raspberry‐like CPCs are obtained. The hydrophobicity of the P(St‐co‐tBA) domains and the affinity of PVDF to the aqueous environment are considered to be the driving force for the self‐assembly of the in situ formed PVDF/P(St‐co‐tBA) Janus particles. The resultant raspberry‐like CPCs with PVDF particles protruding outward may be promising for superhydrophobic smart coatings.
Halo‐ester‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) are successfully prepared by the transesterification of alkyl halo‐esters with PEGs using Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) as a biocatalyst under the solventless conditions. Transesterifications of chlorine, bromine, and iodine esters with tetraethylene glycol monobenzyl ether (BzTEG) are quantitative in less than 2.5 h. The transesterification of halo‐esters with PEGs are complete in 4 h. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy with MALDI‐ToF and ESI mass spectrometry confirm the structure and purity of the products. This method provides a convenient and “green” process to effectively produce halo‐ester PEGs.
An amphiphilic block copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly((N‐methacryloxy phthalimide)‐co‐(7‐(4‐vinyl‐benzyloxyl)‐4‐methylcoumarin)) (PEO45‐b‐P(MAPI36‐co‐VBC4)) is designed to improve the micellar stability during the photo‐triggered release of hydrophobic cargoes. Analysis of absorption and emission spectra, solution transmittance, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy supports that polymer micelles of PEO45‐b‐P(MAPI36‐co‐VBC4) upon the combinational irradiation of 365 and 254 nm light can be solubilized through the photolysis of phthalimide esters and simultaneously crosslinked via the partially reversible photo‐dimerization of coumarins. The photo‐triggered release experiment shows that the leakage of doxorubicin molecules from crosslinked micelles can be predictably regulated by controlling the irradiation time of 365 and 254 nm light.
Carboxyl end‐functionalized poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] [P(PEGMEMA)] and its block copolymer with gemcitabine substituted poly(N‐hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) [PGem‐block‐P(PEGMEMA)] are synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Then, two polymers are grafted onto the surface of amine‐functionalized nanodiamonds to obtain [P(PEGMEMA)]‐grafted nanodiamonds (ND‐PEG) and [PGem‐block‐P(PEGMEMA)]‐grafted nanodiamonds (ND‐PF). Gemcitabine is physically absorbed to ND‐PEG to produce ND‐PEG (Gem). Two polymer‐grafted nanodiamonds (i.e., with physically absorbed gemcitabine ND‐PEG (Gem) and with chemically conjugated gemcitabine ND‐PF) are characterized using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis. The drug release, cytotoxicity (to seed human pancreatic carcinoma AsPC‐1 cells), and cellular uptake of ND‐PEG (Gem) and ND‐PF are also investigated.
Dopamine‐containing monomers, N‐3,4‐dihydroxybenzenethyl methacrylamide (DMA) and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), are successfully copolymerized in a well‐controlled manner via ambient temperature single‐electron transfer initiation and propagation through the radical addition fragmentation chain transfer (SET‐RAFT) method. The controlled behaviors of the copolymerization are confirmed by the first‐order kinetic plots, the linear relationships between molecular weights, and the monomer conversions while keeping relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.45). Moreover, biomimetic self‐assembly of poly(N‐3,4‐dihydroxybenzenethyl methacrylamide‐co‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) PDMA‐co‐PDMAEMA and inorganic particles are employed to prepare tunable honeycomb‐like porous hybrid particles (HPHPs) by regulating the predesigned chemical composition. In addition, the inorganic sacrificial templates are successfully selective etched for the formation of porous organic materials.
The entrapment of a protein in porous poly(d,l ‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres is demonstrated through the closure of their outer surface pores for sustained delivery of the protein. The porous PLGA microspheres with less than 10 μm in size are prepared by electrospraying. Aqueous solutions containing fluorescein isothiocyanate‐dextran or bovine serum albumin (BSA) are penetrated into the inner pores as a result of vacuum treatment, and the outer surface pores of the porous PLGA microspheres are then closed using a solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide) to ensure entrapment of the macromolecules. Confocal microscopy images confirm the presence of a large amount of the macromolecules inside the porous structure. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and release analysis reveal that BSA is entrapped without denaturation and released in a sustained manner for a period of over 2 months, respectively.
Moisture or water has the advantages of being green, inexpensive, and moderate. However, it is challenging to endow water‐induced shape memory property and self‐healing capability to one single polymer because of the conflicting structural requirement of the two types of materials. In this study, this problem is solved through introducing two kinds of supramolecular interactions into semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs). The hydrogen bonds function as water‐sensitive switches, making the materials show moisture‐induced shape memory effect. The host–guest interactions (β‐cyclodextrin‐adamantane) serve as both permanent phases and self‐healing motifs, enabling further increased chain mobility at the cracks and self‐healing function. In addition, these polyvinylpyrrolidone/poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) semi‐IPNs also show thermosensitive triple‐shape memory effect.
In this article, a synthetic concept for the preparation of polyamides with functional side groups is described. First, the synthesis of a bis(thiolactone) monomer is shown in a concise three‐step route from itaconic acid and DL‐homocysteine thiolactone. The reactivity of the resulting bis(thiolactone) toward hexyl amine is examined. Next, the bis(thiolactone) is reacted as A,A‐type monomer with different B,B‐type comonomers (1,12‐diaminododecane and 1,3‐bis(aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane). Ring opening of the thiolactones by the diamines leads to polyamides with pendant thiol groups. Using two diamines in different ratios, the properties of the resulting polyamides are tuned (thermal properties are determined) and different molecular weights are acquired. Subsequently, the thiol groups are reacted with methyl acrylate via Michael addition to functionalize the polyamides. Functionalization of thiol‐functional polyamides using poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) acrylates ( = 480 and 1700 g mol−1) results in water‐soluble amphiphilic polyamides with molecular weights higher than 10 000 g mol−1.
Copolymers of 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate (DMAEA) and 2‐(tert‐Boc‐amino)ethyl acrylate (t BocAEA) are synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in a controlled manner with defined molar masses and narrow molar masses distributions (Ð ≤ 1.17). Molar compositions of the P(DMAEA‐co‐t BocAEA) copolymers are assessed by means of 1H NMR. A complete screening in molar composition is studied from 0% of DMAEA to 100% of DMAEA. Reactivity ratios of both comonomers are determined by the extended Kelen–Tüdos method (r DMAEA = 0.81 and rtBocAEA = 0.99).
Coaxial four‐needle electrohydrodynamic forming is applied for the first time to prepare layered structures in both particle and fiber form. Four different biocompatible polymers, polyethylene glycol, poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, and polymethylsilsesquioxane, are used to generate four distinct layers confirmed using transmission and scanning electron microscopy combined with focused ion beam milling. The incorporation and release of different dyes within the polymeric system of four layers are demonstrated, something that is much desired in modern applications such as the polypill where multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients can be combined to treat numerous diseases.
