Redox-responsive core cross-linked micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) by click chemistry

ABSTRACT

Redox-responsive core cross-linked polymeric micelles were prepared by using azide-alkyne click chemistry. Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PGMA) copolymers were prepared by the atom transfer radical polymerization, and the PGMA parts were subsequently functionalized with azido groups. The micelles of azido-functional PEO_5k-b-PGMA_1.1k-N₃ were cross-linked using dipropargyl 3,3′-dithiodipropionate as a disulfide-containing cross-linking agent. The block copolymers and polymeric micelles were characterized by using GPC, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, TEM, and DLS analyses. The nanoparticle micelles showed much improved structural stability under physiological condition, while they were rapidly dissociated in the 1,4-dithio-D,L-threitol reducing environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Click chemistry
• ATRP
• Core cross-linked micelles
• Redox-responsive

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grant funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2015R1D1A3A01019109).