Block-Random Copolymer-Micellization-Mediated Formation of Polymeric Patches on Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Patchy colloidal nanoparticles are important for a broad range of applications, especially as building blocks for complex and functional structural materials, but the controllable generation of chemical patches on as-synthesized nanoparticles remains a challenge. This article describes a robust strategy for the scalable synthesis of highquality patchy nanoparticles in high yield and solid content. A simple thermal treatment of a mixture of gold nanoparticles and thiolterminated block-random copolymers in selected solvents produced a variety of patchy nanoparticles with a controlled morphology and number of polymeric patches (e.g., beanlike patch, one patch, two patches, three patches, multiple patches, and open-configuration patch). We show in experiments and simulations that the dynamic detachment/attachment of copolymers and the exchange of copolymers between the nanoparticle surface and free micelles in the solutionwhich are dictated by the architecture of copolymersgovern the formation of polymeric patches. This work not only offers an effective approach to patchy nanoparticles but also provides new insights into the phase behaviors of copolymers on nanoscale surfaces.

Symmetry-Broken Patches on Gold Nanoparticles through Deficient Ligand Exchange

“…First of all, we resolve the synthetic challenges in colloidal stability of asymmetric NPs prepared through hydrophobicity-driven surface patterning. Hydrophobic polymer ligands (either homopolymer or BCP , ) show strong interparticle interactions, particularly in water. The addition of a nonbound BCP surfactant endows water solubility of as-resultant Janus NPs with a concentration of >10 mg/mL.…”

Light-induced reversible self-assembly of multi-compartment patchy micelles

“…As an elegant bottom-up strategy for stepwise crafting of ordered nano-, micro-and macro-scaled super-molecular constructions, 11 hierarchical self-assembly can be directed by solvent selectivity, [12][13][14] electrostatic attraction, 15,16 crystallization, 17 or metal coordination. 18 Recent studies of block copolymer self-assembly particles have been rapidly developed with shape-and surface-anisotropic micelles, [19][20][21] as their directional properties are beneficial for hierarchical self-assembly and directional connection.…”

CD44/Folate Dual Targeting Receptor Reductive Response PLGA-Based Micelles for Cancer Therapy

“…Therefore, it is proposed that a drug delivery system that can transport DOX to the tumor site should be developed to achieve better antitumor effect and reduce adverse reactions. Due to the advantages that traditional delivery systems do not have, nano-drug delivery systems have been widely studied as drug carriers, and many nano-drug delivery systems have been developed, such as magnetic nanoparticles ( Hosseinpour Moghadam et al, 2019 ), microemulsion ( Lv et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2019 ), liposomes ( Antimisiaris et al, 2021 ), gold nanoparticles ( Lochbaum et al, 2021 ), platinum nanoparticles ( Kawawaki et al, 2021 ), polymer micelles ( Yang et al, 2021 ), etc. In these drug delivery systems, polymeric micelles are considered to be effective nanocarriers because they can encapsulate hydrophobic agents into their “core-shell” structures and deliver them to tumor regions through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect.…”