Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymer Self‐Assembly in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Self‐assembly of double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) in water is an emerging area of research. The self‐assembly process can be derived from aqueous two‐phase systems that are composed of hydrophilic homopolymers at elevated concentration. Consecutively, DHBCs form self‐assembled structures like micelles, vesicles, or particles at high concentrations in water and without the use of external triggers that would change solubility of individual blocks. Careful choice of the two hydrophilic blocks and design of the polymer structure allows formation of self‐assembled structures with high efficiency. The present contribution highlights recent research in the area of DHBC self‐assembly, including the polymer types employed and strategies for crosslinking of the self‐assembled structures. Moreover, an overview of aqueous multiphase systems and theoretical considerations of DHBC self‐assembly are presented, as well as an outlook regarding potential future applications in areas such as the biomedical field.

Self‐Assembly of Multiblock Copolymers

“…The understanding of BCP micelles has grown quite much over the past 20 years, but they still remain the subject of intense research with new properties and applications appearing frequently. For instance, the assembly of double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) is currently proving as a promising route for biological applications and in food chemistry . It is expected that DHBCs will have increased biocompatibility and higher degradability due to the water‐soluble segments.…”

“…For instance, the assembly of double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) is currently proving as a promising route for biological applications and in food chemistry. [99] It is expected that DHBCs will have increased biocompatibility and higher degradability due to the watersoluble segments. Another feature of DHBCs that makes them interesting for biological applications is their greater permeability.…”

ISA‐Wissenschaftsmedaille: G. R. Desiraju / Dr.‐Hermann‐Schnell‐Stipendien: M. Barz und B. V. K. J. Schmidt

“…Außerdem interessiert er sich für Metall‐organische Gerüste als Template und Katalysatoren für Polymerisationen. Er ist Koautor eines Aufsatzes über dynamische Materialien auf der Basis von Cyclodextrin‐Wirt‐Gast‐Chemie, der auf dem Titelbild der Angewandten Chemie vorgestellt wurde, und er diskutierte die Selbstorganisation doppelt hydrophiler Blockcopolymere in wässriger Lösung in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics …”

Poly(ethylene glycol) brush-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-based double hydrophilic block copolymer particles crosslinked via crystalline α-cyclodextrin domains

“…Recently, the self-assembly process could be extended towards completely hydrophilic block copolymers without the need of a triggered solubility change. 20 The self-assembly can be understood from the formation of aqueous two phase systems from two hydrophilic homopolymers in water at elevated concentrations. The connection of both homo polymersleading to a DHBCdiminishes macroscopic demixing but facilitates microscopic self-assembly.…”

“…27 Moreover, the efficiency of self-assembly depends signicantly on the concentration of DHBC, and in general rather high concentrations are needed to drive self-assembly forward. 20,22 The higher the concentration, the more favorable the state of aggregation is in comparison to the unimer state. Dilution of the DHBC solution results in an instant shi in the equilibrium causing the disassembly of the aggregates.…”