Supramolecular Assembly Mediates the Formation of Single-Chain Polymeric Nanoparticles

A breakthrough innovation in water-based polymeric nanoparticles has enabled significant progress in mimicking the folding of natural proteins by generating novel "single-chain polymeric nanoparticles" (SCPNs) via supramolecular interactions. In this study, a practical approach to the living polymerization of functionalized oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate monomers allows the incorporation of self-constituted multiple hydrogen-bonded groups into physically cross-linked polymer networks, which enables the formation of highly functionalized SCPNs in an aqueous environment. The newly developed materials are particularly attractive from a practical point of view since they have a very low critical micellization concentration and uniform particle diameters of ca. 25 nm, making them extremely stable under dilute conditions. Concentration-dependent experiments showed that SCPNs formed at polymer concentrations up to 40 mg/mL with no significant change in morphology observed. Moreover, the formed SCPNs had a very high stability in an aqueous solution containing surfactant, suggesting potential for a wide variety of applications as a promising candidate nanocarrier for bioimaging, controlled release, and drug delivery systems.