Poly(ethylene glycol) brush-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-based double hydrophilic block copolymer particles crosslinked via crystalline α-cyclodextrin domains

Al Nakeeb, N., Kochovski, Z., Li, T., Zhang, Y., Lu, Y. and Schmidt, B. V.K.J. (2019) Poly(ethylene glycol) brush-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-based double hydrophilic block copolymer particles crosslinked via crystalline α-cyclodextrin domains. RSC Advances, 9(9), pp. 4993-5001. (doi: 10.1039/C8RA10672J)

Abstract

Self-assembly of block copolymers is a significant area of polymer science. The self-assembly of completely water-soluble block copolymers is of particular interest, albeit a challenging task. In the present work the self-assembly of a linear-brush architecture block copolymer, namely poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-b-poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (PVP-b-POEGMA), in water is studied. Moreover, the assembled structures are crosslinked via α-CD host/guest complexation in a supramolecular way. The crosslinking shifts the equilibrium toward aggregate formation without switching off the dynamic equilibrium of double hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC). As a consequence, the self-assembly efficiency is improved without extinguishing the unique DHBC self-assembly behavior. In addition, decrosslinking could be induced without a change in concentration by adding a competing complexation agent for α-CD. The self-assembly behavior was followed by DLS measurement, while the presence of the particles could be observed via cryo-TEM before and after crosslinking.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: NAN and BS acknowledge the Max-Planck-Society for funding. BS thanks the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie for funding.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Schmidt, Dr Bernhard
• Authors: Al Nakeeb, N., Kochovski, Z., Li, T., Zhang, Y., Lu, Y., and Schmidt, B. V.K.J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: RSC Advances
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• ISSN (Online): 2046-2069
• Published Online: 08 February 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry
• First Published: First published in RSC Advances 9(9): 4993-5001
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License