Facile engineering of nano- and microparticles via self-assembly of homopolymers

We report an unprecedented assembling performance of amide-containing, homo-structured poly(N-alkylacrylamide)s, through which they can assemble into discrete spherical particles with size ranging from tens of nanometres to several micrometres. For a specific polymer, a facile control over topology and scale of assembled structures can be accomplished via solvent conditions. Assembling using appropriate solvent gives rise to capsule-like assemblies. The molecular structure of polymers, such as the side chain chemistry and topology display striking impact on the size and morphology of resulting assemblies. These polymers might function as novel model systems for investigating complex functions performed by amide moieties in proteins, while this assembling offers a simple, facile but powerful and cost-effective manufacturing route for nano- or microstructured materials that may find great potential in diverse applications varying from cosmetics, drug delivery, nanomedicine, to biotechnology.