Use of Polyion Complexation for Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly in Water under Visible Light Irradiation at 25 °C

• Published in: ACS macro letters Vol. 4; no. 11; pp. 1293 - 1296
• Main Authors: Yu, Qiuping, Ding, Yi, Cao, Hui, Lu, Xinhua, Cai, Yuanli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 17.11.2015
• ISSN: 2161-1653; 2161-1653
• DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.5b00699

Polyion complexation (PIC) as the driving force of polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), that is, PIC–PISA, is explored. Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization of NH3 +-monomer 2-aminoethylacrylamide hydrochloride (AEAM) can be achieved in water under visible light irradiation at 25 °C, using nonionic poly2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide (PHPMA) macromolecular chain transfer agent in the presence of anionic poly­(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (PAMPS) PIC-template. Sphere-to-network transition occurs, owing to the PIC of PAMPS with growing chains upon reaction close to isoelectric point (IEP); thereafter, the increase of electrostatic repulsion promotes the split of networks and the rupture of spheres into fragments. Therefore, the free-flowing solution becomes viscous liquid and free-standing physical gel, and then back into viscous and free-flowing liquid. Such a PIC–PISA is appealing for gene delivery because the size and surface charge are variable on demand and at high solids.