Multiresponsive Micellar Systems from Photocleavable Block Copolymers

The contribution, describes, the synthesis, and associating behavior in water of a multiresponsive amphiphilic diblock copolymer. This copolymer is composed of an hydrophobic photocleavable poly(para-methoxyphenacyl methacrylate) block (PMPMA) and a hydrophilic thermosensitive poly[(oligo, ethylene glycol)methacrylate] block (POEGMA). The PMPMA-b-POEGMA copolymer forms micelles with a PMPMA core and a POEGMA corona in water. Light irradiation leads to the transformation of PMPMA I into poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and to the disruption;of the initial micelles. The response of the accordingly obtained PMAA-b-POEGMA. copolymer. to pH, temperature, calcium (Ca2+), and phosphate (PO43-) ions is demonstrated