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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Superparamagnetic hybrid micelles, based on iron oxide nanoparticles and well-defined diblock copolymers possessing
Petri Papaphilippou1, Louiza Loizou, Nicolae C Popa
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Abstract:
The quality of surface coating of magnetic nanoparticles destined as nanoprobes in clinical applications is of utmost significance for their colloidal stability and biocompatibility. A novel approach for the fabrication of such a coating involves the synthesis of well-defined diblock copolymers based on 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate (chelating) and poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate (water-soluble, thermoresponsive), prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Fabrication of magneto-responsive micelles was accomplished via chemical coprecipitation of Fe(III)/Fe(II) in the presence of diblock copolymers. Further to the characterization of micellar morphologies, optical and thermal properties, assessment of magnetic characteristics disclosed superparamagnetic behavior. The hybrid micelles did not compromise cell viability in cultures, while in vitro uptake by macrophage cells was significantly lower in comparison to that of the clinically applicable contrast agent Resovist, suggesting that these systems can evade rapid uptake by the reticuloendothelial system and be useful agents for in vivo applications.
