Article

Encapsulation and release by star-shaped block copolymers as unimolecular nanocontainers

  1. Dilek Kul1,
  2. Lieven M. Van Renterghem2,
  3. Michael A.R. Meier3,
  4. Satu Strandman4,
  5. Heikki Tenhu4,
  6. Sevil S. YIlmaz1,
  7. Ulrich S. Schubert3,5,
  8. Filip E. Du Prez2,*

Article first published online: 6 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/pola.22413

Issue

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Volume 46, Issue 2, pages 650–660, 15 January 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kul, D., Van Renterghem, L. M., Meier, M. A., Strandman, S., Tenhu, H., YIlmaz, S. S., Schubert, U. S. and Du Prez, F. E. (2008), Encapsulation and release by star-shaped block copolymers as unimolecular nanocontainers. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 46: 650–660. doi: 10.1002/pola.22413

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Chemistry, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey

  2. 2

    Department of Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

  3. 3

    Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Nanoscience, Eindhoven University of Technology and Dutch Polymer Institute, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

  4. 4

    Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FIN-00014, Finland

  5. 5

    Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany

*Department of Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 DEC 2007
  2. Article first published online: 6 DEC 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 23 SEP 2007
  4. Manuscript Received: 13 JUN 2007

Funded by

  • The ESF-programme STIPOMAT
  • Belgian Programme on Interuniversity Attraction Poles. Grant Number: Program P6/27

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Keywords:

  • amphiphiles;
  • atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP);
  • host-guest systems;
  • nanocontainer;
  • star-block copolymer

Graphical Abstract

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The encapsulation of five-arm star-shaped PEO-b-PtBA block copolymers, prepared by ATRP using a five-arm star-shaped PEO-macroinitiator, and their release properties in acid environment have been followed by UV-spectroscopy and color changes, using the dye methyl orange as a hydrophilic guest molecule. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at www.interscience.wiley.com.]

Abstract

A five-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with terminal bromide groups was used as a macroinitiator for the atom transfer radical polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA), resulting in five-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) block copolymers. The polymerization proceeded in a controlled way using a copper(I)bromide/pentamethyl diethylenetriamine catalytic system in acetonitrile as solvent. The hydrolysis of the tBA blocks of the amphiphilic star-shaped PEO-b-PtBA block copolymer resulted in dihydrophilic star structures. The encapsulation of the star-block copolymers and their release properties in acid environment have been followed by UV-spectroscopy and color changes, using the dye methyl orange as a hydrophilic guest molecule. Characterization of the structures has been done by 1H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, MALDI-TOF, and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 650–660, 2008

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