Highly swellable pH-responsive nanogels generated by polymerisation-induced self-assembly

Abstract

The synthesis of pH-responsive nanogels via reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) in aqueous media, using poly(potassium 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate)₄₄-block-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate_1−x%-stat-methacrylic acid_x%)₃₀₀ (PKSPMA₄₄-b-P(HPMA_1−x%-stat-MAA_x%)₃₀₀) block copolymers is reported. These nanogels exhibit pronounced and tunable pH-dependent swelling, excellent colloidal stability, and reversibility across multiple pH cycles. These findings advance the design of smart soft materials and establish RAFT-mediated PISA nanogels as promising candidates for pH-triggered delivery systems, biosensing platforms, and adaptive biomaterials.