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Bio‐Inspired Polymer Chemistry. Tuning the Structure and Properties of Self‐Assembled Polymers by Solvent Interactions
Author(s) -
Nolte Roeland J.M.,
Rowan Alan E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.201600063
Subject(s) - ethylene glycol , polymer , solvent , copolymer , polymer chemistry , self assembly , polymersome , materials science , chemical engineering , styrene , chemistry , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , amphiphile , engineering
Summary Two examples of self‐assembled polymer systems of which the properties or functions can be tuned by solvent interactions are presented. The first involves polymers of isocyanopeptides with ethylene glycol side chains, which form gels with strain stiffening properties in water. The second deals with block copolymers of styrene and ethylene glycol, which self‐assemble in water to give polymersomes. Depending on the composition of the solvent mixture these nano‐objects can undergo shape transformations yielding bowl‐shaped architectures (stomatocytes). These stomatocytes can entrap platinum particles or enzymes and act as nanomotors.