Functionalization and metathesis polymerization induced self-assembly of an alternating copolymer into giant vesicles

A facile fabrication of spherical vesicles and micelles by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization and alternative metathesis polymerization (ALTMET) was investigated. We utilize fluorine (FL) and perylene diimide-based (PDI) alpha,omega-dienes and alpha,omega-diacrylates to provide a series of homopolymers and alternating copolymers. When using alpha,omega-dienes as model monomers, TEM measurement indicates that the aromatic FL and PDI building block induced polymers to generate medium-sized (30-50 nm and 90-120 nm, respectively) micelles and vesicles. It was amazing that alternating copolymers derived from PDI alpha,omega-dienes and FL alpha,omega-diacrylates spontaneously form giant vesicles with sizes in the range of 0.7 mu m to 2.5 mu m. The controlled self-assembly of the organic polymer mediated by ADMET and ALTMET techniques avoided extremely annoying post treatment. Therefore, this work establishes a new, versatile synthetic strategy to create nanoparticles having tunable morphologies with potential application as molecular payload delivery vehicles.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates the facile fabrication of spherical vesicles and micelles using ADMET and ALTMET techniques. By utilizing FL and PDI-based building blocks, polymers of different sizes were obtained, with alternating copolymers forming giant vesicles. This new synthetic strategy offers the potential for creating nanoparticles with tunable morphologies.