Non-thermally initiated RAFT polymerization-induced self-assembly

Abstract

The reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) enables efficient and convenient syntheses of polymeric nanoparticles, generally based on thermal initiation. However, thermal initiation confines the incorporation of temperature-sensitive biomolecules into nanoparticles. Recently, developments in non-thermally initiated RAFT PISA have addressed this problem, allowing precise regulation of polymerization and the incorporation of biomolecules under mild conditions, which is promising for bio-related applications. In this review, we try to summarize recent progress in PISA mediated by non-thermal initiation techniques, including photo-, redox/oscillatory reaction-, enzyme- and ultrasound wave-initiation.