pH-switchable polymer nanostructures for controlled release?

Polymer Chemistry Pub Date: 2012-08-09 DOI: 10.1039/C2PY20545A

Abstract

A diblock copolymer consisting of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (PPFPA) was synthesized by RAFT polymerization methods. The PPFPA block was then substituted with N,N-diisopropylethylenediamine and the end group modified with one of two hydrophilic groups to form pH-responsive copolymers. The self-assembly properties of these polymers were investigated and shown by TEM and DLS to form micelles at acidic pH and vesicles at basic pH. The encapsulation and controlled release of a hydrophilic dye molecule, Rhodamine B, was demonstrated using fluorescence spectroscopy.

Graphical abstract: pH-switchable polymer nanostructures for controlled release
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