Progress in polymer single-chain based hybrid nanoparticles

Precise control of molecular hierarchical organization has endowed biological systems with unique func-tions, which inspires great effort s in the synthesis of artificial mimics. Polymeric single-chain nanopar-ticles (SCNPs) with tunable microstructure and composition and distinct compartmentalization features are regarded as an ideal platform for biomimetic architectures. SCNPs represent an intermediate state between polymer and colloidal matter and are constructed by intramolecular crosslinking of linear poly-mers with tailored composition and topology. The microstructure of the SCNPs is broadly tunable from individual particle, to tadpole-shaped and dimer by using the polymers with different sequential distribu-tion. It is noted that cyclic polymers are regarded as specific SCNPs with well-defined number of knotting (crosslinking). Functional composite hybrids are derived whose head and chain parts are greatly enriched in composition and microstructure via selective growth of functional materials or post-modification. Syn-ergistic effects can emerge through hybridization of functionalities of the colloidal nanoparticles and char-acteristics of the polymer chains. These hybrids are attractive for applications such as the fabrication of novel superstructures that mimic catalytic functionalities of enzymes. This review summarizes recent ad-vances in the synthesis of SCNP based functional hybrid nanoparticles. Large-scale synthetic approaches of the hybrid nanoparticles are highlighted. The use of SCNP as platform for functional hybrid nanopar-ticles is subsequently illustrated by applications such as biomimetic catalysis, interfacial engineering and biomedicine.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Precise control of molecular hierarchical organization has led to unique functions in biological systems, inspiring efforts in synthesizing artificial mimics. Polymeric single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) with tunable microstructure and composition are considered ideal for biomimetic architectures. SCNPs can be constructed by intramolecular crosslinking of linear polymers with tailored composition and topology, and their microstructure can be adjusted from individual particles to tadpole-shaped and dimer structures. Functional composite hybrids with enriched composition and microstructure can be derived through selective growth of functional materials or post-modification. These hybrids exhibit synergistic effects by combining the functionalities of colloidal nanoparticles and characteristics of polymer chains. They are attractive for applications such as catalytic mimicking and interfacial engineering.