Article
Polymer Science
Kunlun Zhang, Mingheng Xiao, Li Zhang, Ying Chen, Jianbo Tan
Summary: This study reports a strategy for preparing surface-functional polymeric microspheres using photoinitiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization and subsequent photografting under different wavelengths of light. The method allows for the preparation of uniform-sized photoreactive polymeric microspheres and enables photografting polymerizations with various monomers. Furthermore, the technique allows for the preparation of carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres, which can be extensively used for surface bioconjugation reactions.
Article
Polymer Science
Fei Deng, Menglin Yang, Yanli Zhang, Xiaohui Wu, Rujiang Ma, Feihe Ma, Linqi Shi
Summary: By developing a one-pot strategy to synthesize high-concentration MSPMs, it is possible to mass produce nanochaperones for refolding denatured proteins and stabilizing the structure of native proteins. This simple method provides a way to promote the practical applications of functional nanochaperones.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yiqun Yang, Chenglin Yi, Xiaozheng Duan, Qi Wu, Yan Zhang, Jing Tao, Wenhao Dong, Zhihong Nie
Summary: This article presents a strategy for the scalable synthesis of high-quality patchy nanoparticles, which are produced by thermal treatment of a mixture of gold nanoparticles and thiol-terminated block-random copolymers to generate nanoparticles with controlled morphology and number of polymeric patches. Experiments and simulations show that the formation of polymeric patches is governed by the dynamic detachment/attachment of copolymers and the exchange of copolymers between the nanoparticle surface and free micelles in the solution.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liu Tan, Jinling Fan, Yuqing Zhou, Di Xiong, Manzhen Duan, Ding Hu, Zhimin Wu
Summary: A new type of reversible cross-linked and pH-responsive polymeric micelle was synthesized for targeted delivery of curcumin. The micelle exhibited excellent stability and reversibility of pH-responsiveness in solutions with different pH values. Simulation methods were employed to investigate the self-assembly process and pH-responsive behavior of the micelle.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
F. Moyra Vieira, C. M. Gabriela Calisto, Celly Izumi
Summary: This study describes a method for fabricating stable and reproducible large-area surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates based on the assembly of pre-synthesized gold nanoparticles on reconstructed poly(styrene-block-2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) films. The results show that the annealing treatment and the molecular weight of the copolymers strongly influence the dispersion of nanoparticles and the SERS enhancements. Water and ethanol swelling of the micelles allow for high uniformity of nanoparticle deposition, while more efficient SERS enhancement is observed in the nanocomposites treated with toluene/THF vapor annealing and thermal annealing.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenggang Song, Fan Yang, Ruixuan Ji, Yin Lv, Zhong Wei
Summary: A newly prepared amphiphilic block copolymer nanomicelle successfully delivered the anticancer drug DOX to tumor sites, demonstrating good drug release performance and anticancer effects. Furthermore, these nanomicelles showed significantly improved therapeutic effects in treating tumor cells with the introduction of ferrocene.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aislan Esmeraldo Paiva, Jhonattan Frank Baez Vasquez, Tatiana S. Perova, Fernanda G. L. Medeiros Borsagli, Michael Morris
Summary: This research focused on the selective metal infiltration of a pyridine-containing block copolymer in a liquid-phase setting. The study found that metal cations interact differently with the poly(2-vinylpyridine) component, and that the oxidation state and type of cation are crucial for the infiltration process, which is also influenced by the solvent used. While silver did not effectively infiltrate, nickel and chromium were able to reproduce the pattern of the block copolymer. These differences can be attributed to the coordination of pyridinic nitrogen and the metal, as well as p-interactions. Additionally, the presence of oxyanions enhanced the infiltration of chromium and facilitated the formation of a highly faithful ordered metal oxide layer.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Julian Heuer, Thomas Kuckhoff, Rong Li, Katharina Landfester, Calum T. J. Ferguson
Summary: The production of photocatalytic self-assembled amphiphilic polymers enables selective control over reactions based on the substrate's physical properties. By polymerizing benzothiadiazole-based photocatalysts into hydrophilic or hydrophobic compartments, we achieved stark differences in reactivity for polar substrates but similar performance for hydrophobic substrates. Additionally, the use of secondary swelling solvents led to a significant increase in conversion for a radical carbon-carbon coupling reaction.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jinxuan He, Zhixiang Mou, Yuchen Tian, Yiyan Zhang, Tianjun Guan, Qixian Chen, Lan Chen
Summary: A polymeric siRNA conjugate was developed to overcome biological barriers for delivering siRNA into cells, showing potential for cancer treatment and hyperparathyroidism. The conjugate exhibited efficient release of active siRNA in the cytosol, providing a promising platform for RNA interference therapeutics and biomimetic materials.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhangbin Yang, Haoxuan Sun, Yulin Xi, Yanli Qi, Zepeng Mao, Ping Wang, Jun Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrated a novel passive radiative cooling design by building random, three-dimensional pores in a polymer matrix via phase separation. By controlling the compatibility between the shape-supporting matrix and soluble polymers, the macroporous polymer sheets showed high solar reflectance and tunable thermal emissivity, resulting in significantly lower outdoor temperatures.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jaskiran Kaur, Vijay Mishra, Sachin Kumar Singh, Monica Gulati, Bhupinder Kapoor, Dinesh Kumar Chellappan, Gaurav Gupta, Harish Dureja, Krishnan Anand, Kamal Dua, Gopal L. Khatik, Kuppusamy Gowthamarajan
Summary: Amphiphilic block copolymers are widely used in drug delivery for enhancing bioavailability, molecular targeting, and sustained release. However, challenges such as premature drug release, low drug loading capacity, and poor stability need to be addressed for wider clinical utility. Future studies should focus on exploring their full potential in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Samrat Mazumdar, Deepak Chitkara, Anupama Mittal
Summary: The beneficial or deleterious effects of nanomedicines are influenced by their complex interactions with intracellular pathways and their subcellular fate. Manipulating the physicochemical attributes of nanocarriers can direct nanoparticles towards specific sub-cellular organelles, affecting cellular internalization and enhancing intracellular uptake via specific endocytic pathways.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yi Zhang, Zhiqi He, Paschalis Alexandridis, Marina Tsianou
Summary: Ionic liquids have shown promise as solvents or additives due to their low volatility, high stability, and wide range of intermolecular interactions. This study focuses on the self-assembly of amphiphiles, specifically poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) block polymers, in ionic liquids. The effects of different ionic liquids and classic electrolytes on the micelle structure were compared and analyzed.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jie Tang, Xiaojing Tong, Yongjun Chen, Yue Wu, Zhiyuan Zheng, A. Basak Kayitmazer, Ayyaz Ahmad, Naveed Ramzan, Jintao Yang, Qingchun Huang, Yisheng Xu
Summary: This study presents the development of a nanopesticide formulation that enhances adhesion and deposition of pesticides, improving their utilization efficiency. The nanopesticides, prepared using temperature-responsive copolymers as carriers, show increased anti-washing efficiency and reduced toxicity to zebrafish compared to commercial formulations. This work addresses an important challenge in pesticide applications and has potential to maximize pesticide usage.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ashok Kumar Jangid, Deep Pooja, Poonam Jain, Nitin Gupta, Shwathy Ramesan, Hitesh Kulhari
Summary: A pH-responsive self-assembled nanomicelle system was designed to improve the delivery of paclitaxel to breast cancer cells. The nanomicelles released PTX in response to varying pH environments, exhibiting superior cytotoxicity compared to free PTX against MDA-MB-231 cells, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. These findings suggest a promising approach for breast cancer treatment using pluronic nanomicelles.
