Hollow polymeric nanostructures-Synthesis, morphology and function

The development of reliable synthetic routes to polymeric nanostructures of well-defined composition, morphology and function is of scientific importance and technological interest. The generation of functional hollow polymeric nanostructures, hollow nanospheres and nanotubes in particular, can be achieved through direct and template-directed synthesis, core-shell precursors, and self-assembly of copolymers and polymer conjugates, as well as from dendrimers. The ability to prepare precursor macromolecules of well-defined structure and architecture has been substantially enhanced by recent advances in controlled radical polymerizations. The application and potential application of the hollow polymeric nanospheres and nanotubes as nanoreactors, and in diagnostics, encapsulation, controlled release, and other stimuli-responsive systems are also described. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.