Temporal and Triggered Evolution of Host-Guest Characteristics in Amphiphilic Polymer Assemblies.
An amphiphilic polymer with cleavable side chain and main chain functional groups has been designed and synthesized. Specific cleavage of either of its functional groups was found to have an effect on the morphology of the assembly. Degradation of the main chain is shown to cause morphology of the supramolecular assembly to evolve with time from a micelle-like assembly to a vesicular assembly. On the other hand, stimulus-induced cleavage of the side chains causes these nanoassemblies to disassemble. These temporal (main chain) and triggered (side chain) degradation processes have implications in the design of degradable polymers as supramolecular scaffolds for biological applications.
Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , 710 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9336, United States.
Poornima
P
Rangadurai
Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , 710 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9336, United States.
Mijanur Rahaman
MR
Molla
Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , 710 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9336, United States.
Priyaa
P
Prasad
Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , 710 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9336, United States.
Matthew
M
Caissy
Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , 710 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9336, United States.
S
S
Thayumanavan
D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry
D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents