Dual redox and thermoresponsive double hydrophilic block copolymers with tunable thermoresponsive properties and
Nicky Chan1, So Young An, Nathan Yee
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
The synthesis, tunable thermoresponsive properties, and self-assembly of dual redox and thermoresponsive double hydrophilic block copolymers having pendant disulfide linkages (DHBCss) are reported. Well-defined DHBCss composed of a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) block and a dual thermo- and reduction-responsive random copolymer block containing pendant disulfide linkages are synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transitions are adjusted through modulating pendant hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance with disulfide-thiol-sulfide chemistry. Further, these DHBCss derivatives are converted to disulfide-crosslinked nanogels at temperatures above LCST through temperature-driven self-assembly and in situ disulfide crosslinking. They exhibit enhanced colloidal stability and further reduction-responsive degradability, thus demonstrating versatility of dual thermo- and reduction-responsive smart materials.
