Temperature-Sensitive (BA)(AC)2 Miktoarm Star Diblock Copolymer Based on PMMA, PPEGMA, and PNIPAm

• Published in: Macromolecular chemistry and physics Vol. 217; no. 6; pp. 773 - 782
• Main Authors: Zhu, Jie, Liu, Yuyang, Xiao, Liqun, Zhou, Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: drug release; miktoarm star copolymer; self-assembly; temperature sensitivity
• ISSN: 1022-1352; 1521-3935
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201500449

A well‐defined (BA)(AC)2 miktoarm star diblock copolymer, (PPEGMA32‐b‐PMMA41)‐b‐(PMMA45‐b‐PNIPAm19)2, is synthesized by the combination of ATRP and click reaction. The miktoarm star block copolymer and its precursors are characterized by means of NMR and SEC/MALLS measurements. The copolymer exhibits a low critical aggregation concentration in aqueous solution. Micelles that self‐assemble from the copolymer are prepared in aqueous solution below 15 °C by a sonication method. The micelles have a PMMA core and a PPEGMA/PNIPAm corona and exhibit temperature sensitivity. Using celecoxib as a guest molecule, it is found that the loading capacity of the star copolymer is 8.8 wt% and the celecoxib release from the loaded self‐assembly is temperature tunable. A well‐defined (PPEGMA32‐b‐PMMA41)‐b‐(PMMA45‐b‐PNIPAm19)2 three‐armed miktoarm star diblock copolymer is synthesized by the combination of ATRP and click reaction. The miktoarm star block copolymer self‐assembles to form micelles with a PMMA core and a PPEGMA/PNIPAm corona in aqueous solution. Celecoxib release from the loaded self‐assemblies is temperature tunable.