P(<scp>MMA‐<i>co</i>‐HPMA</scp>)‐<scp><i>b</i>‐POEGMA</scp> copolymers: synthesis, micelle formation in aqueous media and drug encapsulation
Dimitriοs Selianitis, Stergios Pispas
Abstract
Abstract We report the synthesis and the micellar self‐assembly in aqueous media of novel amphiphilic block copolymers. The copolymers consist of a poly[(methyl methacrylate)‐ co ‐(hydroxypropyl methacrylate)] statistical copolymer block and a poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] block, and were synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The amphiphilic P(MMA‐ co ‐HPMA)‐ b ‐POEGMA block copolymers contain monomers of differing polarity and in varying ratios. Furthermore, HPMA segments are chosen in order to enhance hydrogen bonding interactions within the core of spherical micelles formed by the copolymers in aqueous media, as evidenced by light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy studies. The amphiphilic copolymers are able to encapsulate the hydrophobic drugs curcumin and indomethacin as found using light scattering and spectroscopic methods. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.