Thermosensitive t‐PLA‐b‐PNIPAAm tri‐armed star block copolymer nanoscale micelles for camptothecin drug release

Thermosensitive polylactide‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (t‐PLA‐b‐PNIPAAm) tri‐armed star block copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of monomer NIPAAm using t‐PLA‐Cl as macroinitiator. The synthesis of t‐PLA‐Cl was accomplished by esterification of star polylactides (t‐PLA) with 2‐chloropropionyl chloride using trimethylolpropane as a center molecule. FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and GPC analyses confirmed that the t‐PLA‐b‐PNIPAAm star block copolymers had well‐defined structure and controlled molecular weights. The block copolymers could form core‐shell micelle nanoparticles due to their hydrophilic‐hydrophobic trait in aqueous media, and the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) were from 6.7 to 32.9 mg L^?1, depending on the system composition. The as‐prepared micelle nanoparticles showed reversible phase changes in transmittance with temperature: transparent below low critical solution temperature (LCST) and opaque above the LCST. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed that the micelle nanoparticles were spherical in shape with core‐shell structure. The hydrodynamic diameters of the micelle nanoparticles depended on copolymer compositions, micelle concentrations and media. MTT assays were conducted to evaluate cytotoxicity of the camptothecin‐loaded copolymer micelles. Camptothecin drug release studies showed that the copolymer micelles exhibited thermo‐triggered targeting drug release behavior, and thus had potential application values in drug controlled delivery. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4429–4439     

Novel thermo‐responsive self‐assembly micelles from a double brush‐shaped PNIPAM‐g‐(PA‐b‐PEG‐b‐PA)‐g‐PNIPAM block copolymer with PNIPAM polymers as side chains

A novel double brush‐shaped copolymer with amphiphilic polyacrylate‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly acrylate copolymer (PA‐b‐PEG‐b‐PA) as a backbone and thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) long side chains at both ends of the PEG was synthesized via an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) route, and the structure was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and SEC. The thermosensitive self‐assembly behavior was examined via UV‐vis, TEM, DLS, and surface tension measurements, etc. The self‐assembled micelles, with low critical solution temperatures (LCST) of 34–38 ^°C, form irregular fusiform and/or spherical morphologies with single, double, and petaling cores in aqueous solution at room temperature, while above the LCST the micelles took on more regular and smooth spherical shapes with diameter ranges from 45 to 100 nm. The micelle exhibits high stabilities even in simulated physiological media, with low critical micellization concentration (CMC) up to 5.50, 4.89, and 5.05 mg L^?1 in aqueous solution, pH 1.4 and 7.4 PBS solutions, respectively. The TEM and DLS determination reveled that the copolymer micelle had broad size distribution below its LCST while it produces narrow and homogeneous size above the LCST. The cytotoxicity was investigated by MTT assays to elucidate the application potential of the as‐prepared block polymer brushes as drug controlled release vehicles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Temperature and pH dual stimuli responsive PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm block copolymer assemblies and the cargo release studies

A new atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator, namely, 2‐(1‐(2‐azidoethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropanoate containing both “cleavable” acetal linkage and “clickable” azido group was synthesized. Well‐defined azido‐terminated poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s (PNIPAAm‐N₃)s with molecular weights and dispersity in the range 11,000–19,000 g mol^?1 and 1.20–1.28, respectively, were synthesized employing the initiator by ATRP. Acetal containing PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm block copolymer was obtained by alkyne–azide click reaction of azido‐terminated PNIPAAm‐N₃ with propargyl‐terminated PCL. Critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm copolymer in aqueous solution was found to be 8.99 × 10^?6 M. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm copolymer was found to be 32 °C which was lower than that of the precursor PNIPAAm‐N₃ (36.4 °C). The effect of dual stimuli viz . temperature and pH on size and morphology of the assemblies of PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm block copolymer revealed that the copolymer below LCST assembled in spherical micelles which subsequently transformed to unstable vesicles above the LCST. Heating these assemblies above 40 °C led to the precipitation of PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm block copolymer. Whereas, at decreased pH, micelles of PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm copolymer disintegrate due to the cleavage of acetal linkage and precipitation of hydrophobic hydroxyl‐terminated PCL. The encapsulated pyrene release kinetics from the micelles of synthesized PCL‐b‐PNIPAAm copolymer was found to be faster at higher temperature and at lower pH. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 1383–1396     

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell‐type polymeric micelles from diblock copolymers via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer

A method was developed to enable the formation of nanoparticles by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The thermoresponsive behavior of polymeric micelles was modified by means of micellar inner cores and an outer shell. Polymeric micelles comprising AB block copolymers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) and poly(2‐hydroxyethylacrylate) (PHEA) or polystyrene (PSt) were prepared. PIPAAm‐b‐PHEA and PIPAAm‐b‐PSt block copolymers formed a core–shell micellar structure after the dialysis of the block copolymer solutions in organic solvents against water at 20 °C. Upon heating above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PIPAAm‐b‐PHEA micelles exhibited an abrupt increase in polarity and an abrupt decrease in rigidity sensed by pyrene. In contrast, PIPAAm‐b‐PSt micelles maintained constant values with lower polarity and higher rigidity than those of PIPAAm‐b‐PHEA micelles over the temperature range of 20–40 °C. Structural deformations produced by the change in the outer polymer shell with temperature cycles through the LCST were proposed for the PHEA core, which possessed a lower glass‐transition temperature (ca. 20 °C) than the LCST of the PIPAAm outer shell (ca. 32.5 °C), whereas the PSt core with a much higher glass‐transition temperature (ca. 100 °C) retained its structure. The nature of the hydrophobic segments composing the micelle inner core offered an important control point for thermoresponsive drug release and the drug activity of the thermoresponsive polymeric micelles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3312–3320, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of temperature‐sensitive block‐graft PNiPAAm‐b‐(PαN3CL‐g‐alkyne) copolymers by ring‐opening polymerization and click reaction

This study synthesized thermo‐sensitive amphiphilic block‐graft PNiPAAm‐b‐(PαN₃CL‐g‐alkyne) copolymers through ring‐opening polymerization of α‐chloro‐ε‐caprolactone (αClCL) with hydroxyl‐terminated macroinitiator poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm), substituting pendent chlorides with sodium azide. This was then used to graft various kinds of terminal alkynes moieties by means of the copper‐catalyzed Huisgen's 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (“click” reaction). ¹H NMR, FTIR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to characterize these copolymers. The solubility of the block‐graft copolymers in aqueous media was investigated using turbidity measurement, revealing a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in the polymers. These solutions showed reversible changes in optical properties: transparent below the LCST, and opaque above the LCST. The LCST values were dependant on the composition of the polymer. With critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) in the range of 2.04–9.77 mg L^?1, the block copolymers formed micelles in the aqueous phase, owing to their amphiphilic characteristics. An increase in the length of hydrophobic segments or a decrease in the length of hydrophilic segments amphiphilic block‐graft copolymers produced lower CMC values. The research verified the core‐shell structure of micelles by ¹H NMR analyses in D₂O. Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphology of the micelles, revealing a spherical structure. The average size of the micelles was in the range of 75–145 nm (blank), and 105–190 nm (with drug). High drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading content were observed in the drug micelles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and applications of shell cross-linked thermoresponsive hybrid micelles based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate)

Shell cross-linked (SCL) thermoresponsive hybrid micelles consisting of a cross-linked thermoresponsive hybrid hydrophilic shell and a hydrophobic core domain were synthesized from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3- (trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)-b-polymethyl methacrylate (P(NIPAAm-co-MPMA)-b-PMMA) amphiphilic block copolymers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the SCL micelles formed regularly globular nanoparticles. The SCL micelles showed reversible dispersion/aggregation in response to temperature cycles through an outer polymer shell lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for PNIPAAm at around 33 degrees C, observed by turbidity measurements and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The drug loading and in vitro drug release properties of the SCL micelles bearing a silica-reinforced PNIPAAm shell were further studied, which showed that the SCL micelles exhibited a much improved entrapment efficiency (EE) as well as a slower release rate which allowed the entrapped molecules to be slowly released over a much longer period of time as compared with pure PNIPAAm-b-PMMA micelles.     

Thermosensitive polylactide‐glycolide delivery systems for treatment of narcotic addictions

Environmental switches may be fabricated for the controlled release of pharmaceutical drug using a thermally responsive polymer with the intrinsic chemical and physical nature of stimuli‐sensitive smart materials. Particularly, much attention has been paid to the biomedical applications of poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) because of its unique reversible transition at a specific lower critical solution temperature (LCST).Thermally sensitive block copolymers, poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide‐b‐poly(L ‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PNIPAAm‐b‐PLGA), and polyethylene glycol‐poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PEG‐PLGA) triblock copolymers with different compositions and length of PLGA block were synthesized via ring‐opening polymerization of lactide and glycolide in the presence of OH‐terminated PNIPAAm or PEG. The composition and structure of the polymer were determined by NMR and FTIR. The effect of important factors, such as ionic strength, pH, and polymer concentration on the phase transition behavior of temperature‐sensitive polymers, were investigated by cloud point measurements. The resulting thermosensitive polymers were used for the entrapment of a narcotic antagonist drug, naltrexone, as the model drug. The loading efficiency and drug release behavior of naltrexone‐loaded hydrogels were investigated. The naltrexone loaded thermosensitive polymers were able to sustain the release of naltrexone for different periods of time, depending on the polymer composition, and concentration. In vitro release studies showed that these thermosensitive polymers are able to deliver naltrexone in biologically active forms at a controlled rate for 3–8 weeks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined,amphiphilic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐ b‐[2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)]n graft copolymers by RAFT polymerization and macromonomer method

The well‐defined, thermosensitive and biodegradable graft copolymers, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐b‐[2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)]_n (PNIPAAm‐b‐(HEMA‐PCL)_n) (n = 3 or 9), were synthesized by combining reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and macromonomer method. The copolymers were able to self‐assemble into micelles in water with low critical micellar concentration and demonstrated temperature sensitivity with a lower critical solution temperature at around 36 °C. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the micelles exhibit a nanosized spherical morphology within a size range of 30–100 nm. The PNIPAAm‐b‐(HEMA‐PCL)₃ copolymer exhibited biodegradation and low cytotoxicity. The paclitaxel‐loaded PNIPAAm‐b‐(HEMA‐PCL)₃ micelles displayed thermosensitive controlled release behavior, which indicates potential as drug carriers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5354–5364, 2007     

Thermo and pH Dual-Responsive Micelles of N-phthaloylchitosan-g-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and Poly(acrylic acid-co-tert-butyl acrylate) for Drug Delivery

A novel amphiphilic copolymer N-phthaloylchitosan graft poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(acrylic acid-co-tert-butyl acrylate) (PHCS-g-PNIPAAm&P(AA-co-tBA)) was synthesized. The graft copolymer could form micelles in aqueous medium, and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the copolymer was 7.5 × 10^{? 3}mg/mL. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the micelles was measured to be 30°C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed that the micelles exhibited a regular spherical shape, and the mean diameter of the micelles was 94.1 ± 0.8 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The potential usefulness of the micelles as drug delivery systems was investigated using anti-inflammation drug prednisone acetate as the model. The drug loading capacity of the micelles was measured to be 22.86 wt%, and the DLS results showed that the mean diameter of the drug-loaded micelles was 133.3 ± 2.4 nm. In vitro drug release studies indicated that the micelles exhibited thermo and pH dual-responsive release profiles.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Thermoresponsive Amphiphilic Biodegradable Polypeptide/Poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) Block Copolymers

We report the design and synthesis of new fully biodegradable thermoresponsive amphiphilic poly(γ‐benzyl L ‐glutamate)/poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) (PBLG‐b‐PEEP) block copolymers by ring‐opening polymerization of N‐carboxy‐γ‐benzyl L ‐glutamate anhydride (BLG? NCA) with amine‐terminated poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) (H₂N? PEEP) as a macroinitiator. The fluorescence technique demonstrated that the block copolymers could form micelles composed of a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell in aqueous solution. The morphology of the micelles as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was spherical. The size and critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the micelles showed a decreasing trend as the PBLG segment increased. However, UV/Vis measurements showed that these block copolymers exhibited a reproducible temperature‐responsive behavior with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) that could be tuned by the block composition and the concentration.     

Cancer‐associated pH‐responsive tetracopolymeric micelles composed of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L‐histidine)‐b‐poly(L‐lactic acid)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)

To create a novel vector for specifically delivering anticancer therapy to solid tumors, we used diafiltration to synthesize pH‐sensitive polymeric micelles. The micelles, formed from a tetrablock copolymer [poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L ‐histidine)‐b‐poly(L ‐lactic acid)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)] consisted of a hydrophobic poly(L ‐histidine) (polyHis) and poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLA) core and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) shell, in which we encapsulated the model anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The robust micelles exhibited a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 2.1–3.5 µg/ml and an average size of 65–80 nm pH 7.4. Importantly, they showed a pH‐dependent micellar destabilization, due to the concurrent ionization of the polyHis and the rigidity of the PLA in the micellar core. In particular, the molecular weight of PLA block affected the ionization of the micellar core. Depending on the molecular weight of the PLA block, the micelles triggering released DOX at pH 6.8 (i.e. cancer acidic pH) or pH 6.4 (i.e. endosomal pH), making this system a useful tool for specifically treating solid cancers or delivering cytoplasmic cargo in vivo. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DNA Terminal Mismatch‐Induced Stabilization of Polymer Micelles from RAFT‐Generated Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐DNA Block Copolymers

Temperature‐responsive diblock copolymers made of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) generated by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and a single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) self‐assembled into polymer micelles. The micelles consisted of the PNIPAAm core surrounded by the ssDNA corona with a hydrodynamic diameter up to 300 nm in an aqueous medium above the lower critical solution temperature. In a medium of high ionic strength, the formation of the fully matched duplex with the complementary ssDNA on the surface of the polymer micelles induced rapid and spontaneous aggregation. By contrast, the micelles remained dispersed under the identical conditions when single‐base‐substituted ssDNA was added to form the corresponding terminal‐mismatched duplex on the micellar surface. This highly sequence‐selective process took place irrespective of the size of the PNIPAAm core.     

Synthesis and self‐assembling of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐block‐poly(L‐lactide)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) triblock copolymers prepared by combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

Novel thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(l ‐lactide)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacylamide) (PNIPAAm‐b‐PLLA‐b‐PNIPAAm) triblock copolymers were successfully prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization of NIPAAm with Br‐PLLA‐Br macroinitiator, using a CuCl/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl) amine (Me₆TREN) complex as catalyst at 25 °C in a N,N‐dimethylformamide/water mixture. The molecular weight of the copolymers ranges from 18,000 to 38,000 g mol^?1, and the dispersity from 1.10 to 1.28. Micelles are formed by self‐assembly of copolymers in aqueous medium at room temperature, as evidenced by ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The critical micelle concentration determined by fluorescence spectroscopy ranges from 0.0077 to 0.016 mg mL^?1. ¹H NMR analysis in selective solvents confirmed the core‐shell structure of micelles. The copolymers exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between 32.1 and 32.8 °C. The micelles are spherical in shape with a mean diameter between 31.4 and 83.3 nm, as determined by TEM and DLS. When the temperature is raised above the LCST, micelle size increases at high copolymer concentrations due to aggregation. In contrast, at low copolymer concentrations, decrease of micelle size is observed due to collapse of PNIPAAm chains. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3274–3283     

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers based on poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) and poly(4‐substituted‐ε‐caprolactone): Synthesis,characterization, and cellular uptake

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers with various block compositions were synthesized on poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PEtOz) as a hydrophilic block and poly(4‐methyl‐ε‐caprolactone) (PMCL) or poly(4‐phenyl‐ε‐caprolactone) (PBCL) as a hydrophobic block. These PEtOz‐b‐PMCL and PEtOz‐b‐PBCL copolymers consisting of soft domains of amorphous PEtOz and PM(B)CL had no melting endothermal peaks but displayed T_g. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) values for the PEtOz‐b‐PMCL, and the PEtOz‐b‐PBCL aqueous solution were observed to shift to lower temperature than PEtOz homopolymers. Their aqueous solutions were characterized using fluorescence techniques and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The block copolymers formed micelles with critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) in the range 0.6–11.1 mg L^?1 in an aqueous phase. As the length of the hydrophobic PMCL or PBCL blocks elongated, lower CMC values were generated. The mean diameters of the micelles were between 127 and 318 nm, with PDI in the range of 0.06–0.21, suggesting nearly monodisperse size distributions. The drug entrapment efficiency and drug‐loading content of micelles depend on block polymer compositions. In vitro cell viability assay showed that PEtOz‐b‐PMCL has low cytotoxicity. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX)‐loaded micelles facilitated human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell uptake of DOX; uptake was completed within 2 h, and DOX was able to reach intracellular compartments and enter the nuclei by endocytosis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2769–2781     

Temperature responsive complex coacervate core micelles with a PEO and PNIPAAm corona

In aqueous solutions at room temperature, poly( N-methyl-2-vinyl pyridinium iodide)- block-poly(ethylene oxide), P2MVP 38- b-PEO 211 and poly(acrylic acid)- block-poly(isopropyl acrylamide), PAA 55- b-PNIPAAm 88 spontaneously coassemble into micelles, consisting of a mixed P2MVP/PAA polyelectrolyte core and a PEO/PNIPAAm corona. These so-called complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms), also known as polyion complex (PIC) micelles, block ionomer complexes (BIC), and interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPEC), respond to changes in solution pH and ionic strength as their micellization is electrostatically driven. Furthermore, the PNIPAAm segments ensure temperature responsiveness as they exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior. Light scattering, two-dimensional 1H NMR nuclear Overhauser effect spectrometry, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy experiments were carried out to investigate micellar structure and solution behavior at 1 mM NaNO 3, T = 25, and 60 degrees C, that is, below and above the LCST of approximately 32 degrees C. At T = 25 degrees C, C3Ms were observed for 7 < pH < 12 and NaNO 3 concentrations below approximately 105 mM. The PEO and PNIPAAm chains appear to be (randomly) mixed within the micellar corona. At T = 60 degrees C, onion-like complexes are formed, consisting of a PNIPAAm inner core, a mixed P2MVP/PAA complex coacervate shell, and a PEO corona.     

Controlled aggregation behavior of thermoresponsive polymeric micelles by introducing hydrophilic segments as corona components

Poly[N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N‐(3‐methoxypropyl)acrylamide]‐b‐poly(D,L‐lactide) (P(IPAAm‐co‐MPAAm)‐b‐PLA) as a thermoresponsive block copolymer and PMPAAm‐b‐PLA as a nonthermoresponsive block copolymer were co‐assembled into thermoresponsive polymeric micelles in water. In addition, PMPAAm‐b‐P(IPAAm‐co‐MPAAm)‐b‐PLA triblock copolymer was assembled to form thermoresponsive micelles with a hydrophilic layer on the outermost surface of the thermoresponsive corona. Using both micelles, we investigated the effects of introducing hydrophilic polymer segments on micellar aggregation behavior at temperatures above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the thermoresponsive micelles. Despite the external hydrophilic PMPAAm layer on PMPAAm‐b‐P(IPAAm‐co‐MPAAm)‐b‐PLA micelles, aggregation following dehydration of the thermoresponsive segments was not significantly suppressed at temperatures above the LCST due to the instability of the core‐corona state. In contrast, intermicellar aggregation was successfully controlled by blending P(IPAAm‐co‐MPAAm) and PMPAAm in the thermoresponsive corona region, even above the LCST. In particular, PMPAAm chains longer than the P(IPAAm‐co‐MPAAm) chains could regulate the hydrodynamic diameter of micellar aggregates at temperatures above the LCST. The micelles showed enhanced drug release rates in response to temperature changes above the LCST without precipitating from solution. These results indicated that a side‐by‐side structure of hydrophilic/thermoresponsive chains in the corona region could effectively control the micellar aggregation state after a thermal phase transition. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1695–1704     

A new thermo‐responsive block copolymer with tunable upper critical solution temperature and lower critical solution temperature in the alcohol/water mixture

The multi‐thermo‐responsive block copolymer of poly[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate]‐block‐poly[N‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐N,N‐diethylamine] (PMEO₂MA‐b‐PVEA) displaying phase transition at both the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in the alcohol/water mixture is synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The poly[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PMEO₂MA) block exhibits the UCST phase transition in alcohol and the LCST phase transition in water, while the poly[N‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐N,N‐diethylamine] (PVEA) block shows the UCST phase transition in isopropanol and the LCST phase transition in the alcohol/water mixture. Both the polymer molecular weight and the co‐solvent/nonsolvent exert great influence on the LCST or UCST of the block copolymer. By adjusting the solvent character including the water content and the temperature, the block copolymer undergoes multiphase transition at LCST or UCST, and various block copolymer morphologies including inverted micelles, core‐corona micelles, and corona‐collapsed micelles are prepared. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4399–4412     

Self‐assembly of thermo‐ and pH‐responsive poly(acrylic acid)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) micelles for drug delivery

Self‐assembled thermo‐ and pH‐responsive poly(acrylic acid)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PAA‐b‐PNIPAM) micelles for entrapment and release of doxorubicin (DOX) was described. Block copolymer PAA‐b‐PNIPAM associated into core‐shell micelles in aqueous solution with collapsed PNIPAM block or protonated PAA block as the core on changing temperature or pH. Complexation of DOX with PAA‐b‐PNIPAM triggered by the electrostatic interaction and release of DOX from the complexes due to the changing of pH or temperature were studied. Complex micelles incorporated with DOX exhibited pH‐responsive and thermoresponsive drug release profile. The release of DOX from micelles was suppressed at pH 7.2 and accelerated at pH 4.0 due to the protonation of carboxyl groups. Furthermore, the cumulative release of DOX from complex micelles was enhanced around LCST ascribed to the structure deformation of the micelles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5028–5035, 2008     

Water dispersible magnetite nanocluster coated with thermo‐responsive thiolactone‐containing copolymer

This work focused on surface modification of magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) with poly(poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacylate)‐b‐(poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐st‐poly(thiolactone acrylamide)), PPEGMA‐b‐(PNIPAAm‐st‐PTlaAm), diblock copolymer, synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization to obtain the particles having good water dispersible PPEGMA brushes, thermo‐responsive PNIPAAm, and reactive thiolactone groups of PTlaAm. The thiolactone moiety in the copolymer can readily react with amino groups grafted on MNP surface and essentially induced the formation of MNP nanocluster. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the size of the nanocluster ranged between 200 and 500 nm per cluster with 8 to 10 nm in diameter for each particle. Hydrodynamic diameter of the nanocluster significantly decreased as the dispersion temperature increased from 25°C to 45°C due to the shrinkage of thermo‐responsive PNIPAAm when crossing its lower critical solution temperature (LCST). This stable nanocluster might be potentially used as a magnetic carrier for control release of entrapped entities with a thermally triggering mechanism.     

Palladium-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck reactions in water using thermoresponsive polymer micelles

Palladium-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck reactions were carried out in water using thermoresponsive polymer micelles. The micelles were generated from thermoresponsive block copolymers consisting of a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) segment and a hydrophilic segment such as nonionic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (2) and anionic poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) (9). These copolymers exhibited lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior at ca. 40–50?°C and showed thermal stimuli-induced formation and dissociation of micelles. The copolymers formed micelles in aqueous solution at higher temperature, where catalytic reactions proceeded. At lower temperature, the micelles dissociated to form a clear solution, enabling efficient extraction of the products from aqueous reaction mixture. In the presence of these copolymers, palladium complexes catalyzed the coupling reactions between aryl iodides and alkene compounds inside the hydrophobic micelle cores in water under relatively milder conditions. Extraction of the products from the aqueous solution of 2 or 9 was found to be efficient enough in comparison with conventional surfactants.