Polycaprolactone-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanoparticles: Synthesis and temperature induced coacervation behavior

• Published in: European polymer journal Vol. 98; pp. 468 - 474
• Main Authors: Vandewalle, S., Van De Walle, M., Chattopadhyay, S., Du Prez, F.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Amphiphilic block copolymers; Block copolymers; Chain transfer; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Click chemistry; Copolymers; High temperature; Isopropylacrylamide; Nanoparticles; Polycaprolactone; Ring opening polymerization; Self-assembly; Triazolinediones; Self-assembly; Click chemistry; Triazolinediones; Amphiphilic block copolymers
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.11.027

[Display omitted] •PCL-b-PNIPAM block copolymers were synthesized by TAD-diene click chemistry.•The block copolymers self-assembled in water, forming colloidal nanoparticles.•Temperature responsive coacervation of the colloidal nanoparticles was observed. Poly(caprolactone)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PCL-b-PNIPAM) copolymers were prepared with different compositions of the individual blocks using a combination of enzyme catalyzed anionic ring opening (AROP) polymerization, reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and triazolinedione-diene click chemistry. Study of the self-assembly of these block copolymers at different temperatures demonstrates the formation of nanoparticles, characterized by a thermo-responsive behavior that is strongly dependent on the PNIPAM block length. At elevated temperature, self-aggregation (coacervation) of the nanoparticles could occur, leading to the formation of larger polymer aggregates.