The evolution of nanostructured materials that originate from the supramolecular assembly of macromolecular building blocks, from relatively simple overall shapes and internal morphologies to those of increasing complexity, is driving the development of synthetic methodologies that allow for the preparation of increasingly complex macromolecular structures.  Moreover, the inclusion of functional units within selective compartments/domains is of great importance to create (multi)functional materials.  We have a special interest in the study of nanoscopic macromolecules, with well-defined composition, structure and topology, as components that are programmed for the formation of sophisticated nanoscopic objects in solution.  Combinations of controlled radical and ring opening polymerizations, chemical transformations, and supramolecular assembly are employed to construct such materials as functional entities.  This presentation will highlight our recent work in several areas that involve stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer assembly processes, including the preparation of molecular brushes that have intricate shapes and domain-selective compositions to drive their assemblies into complex morphologies, study of multiply-responsive block copolymers that are capable of forming anionic or cationic polymer micelles, incorporation of pH- and enzyme-triggered degradability, and utilization of cationic shell crosslinked polymer micelles as vehicles for the delivery of nucleic acids.  The discussion will include overall design parameters, synthetic approaches and detailed characterization data.

Domain-selective stimuli-responsive nanostructures from stimuli-responsive block copolymers and block brush copolymers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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