title: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, and Multi-Stimuli Responses of a Supramolecular Block Copolymer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nano and Bio-polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Cao'an Road, Shanghai, 201804, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Materials, Ministry of Education, 4800 Cao'an Road, Shanghai, 201804, China.
authors.forename: Weizhong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jinju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lulin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
keywords: micelles; self-assembly; stimuli-sensitive polymers; supramolecular structures