Multistimuli Responsive Amphiphilic Graft Poly(ether amine): Synthesis, Characterization, and Self-Assembly in Aqueous Solution

We reported that multiresponsive amphiphilic graft poly(ether amine)s (agPEAs) comprised of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and hydrophobic octadecyl alkyl chain as side-chain were prepared through one-pot synthesis. In aqueous solution, these obtained agPEAs can self-assemble into stable nanomicelles, whose aggregation can be controlled by temperature, pH, and ionic strength with tunable cloud point (CP). In the presence of these obtained agPEAs, hydrophobic dye Nile red can be dispersed into aqueous solution and hydrophilic dye methyl orange can be dispersed into nonpolar toluene. The agPEAs are expected to be potential in application such as encapsulation and controlled release of drugs, due to their simple synthesis, amphiphilicity, and multistimuli response. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 327-335, 2010