Issue 7, 2012

Metastable single-chain polymernanoparticles prepared by dynamic cross-linking with nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril

Abstract

We present the preparation of metastable single-chain polymeric nanoparticles through stimuli-responsive and reversible intramolecular cross-linking of a single polymer chain in water. Functionalisation of poly(N-hydroxyethylacrylamide) polymers with viologen, followed by addition of nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril allows for facile preparation of nanoparticles through specific and tightly binding 2 : 1 homo-ternary complexes. Particle sizes can be readily tuned through either polymer molecular weight or degree of cross-linking. By virtue of the supramolecular nature of the intramolecular cross-linking in water, the formation of these metastable nanoparticles represents a step towards the development of synthetic polymers with aqueous phase behaviour analogous to the self folding of biomacromolecules.

Graphical abstract: Metastable single-chain polymer nanoparticles prepared by dynamic cross-linking with nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
07 Mar 2012
Accepted
16 Apr 2012
First published
18 Apr 2012

Chem. Sci., 2012,3, 2278-2281

Metastable single-chain polymer nanoparticles prepared by dynamic cross-linking with nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril

E. A. Appel, J. D. Barrio, J. Dyson, L. Isaacs and O. A. Scherman, Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 2278 DOI: 10.1039/C2SC20285A

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