Amphiphilic copolymers with light-pH-temperature triple stimuli-responses: Preparation, self-assembly and controlled drug release

Poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethylmethacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)-block-poly (methacrylic acid-co-spiropyran methacrylate) (P(MEO(2)MA-co-OEGMA)-b-P(MAA-co-SPMA)) was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), acidolysis and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) reaction and can self-assemble into spherical micelles. Poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethylmethacrylateco-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (P(MEO(2)MA-co-OEGMA)) segment can respond to changes in temperature, and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) segments show pH-responsive property. The reversible conversion between spiropyran (SP) which is hydrophobic and hydrophilic anthocyanins H+(MCH)/anthocyanins (MC) makes the poly(spiropyran methacrylate) (PSPMA) segments show light-pH temperature triple-stimulus responses. As a result, the micelles presented light, pH and temperature triple stimuli-responsive properties. The micelles showed different sizes and morphologies under different environmental stimuli. Therefore, the intelligent micelles could be used as the carrier for the multiple controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX) drug molecules. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The polymer micelles with light, pH, and temperature triple-stimulus responses were prepared through a multi-step polymerization reaction, showing different sizes and morphologies under various environmental stimuli.