Development of Star Polymers as Unimolecular Containers for Nanomaterials

作者：Gao Haifeng^*

来源：Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2012, 33(9): 722-734.

DOI：10.1002/marc.201200005

• core-shell
• encapsulation
• micelles
• star polymer
• unimolecular container

Star polymers containing one central core surrounded by multiple radiating arms represent an intriguing type of globular platform to be used as unimolecular containers and reactors. The core domain can encapsulate guest cargos, whereas protective shell and chain ends can be functionalized with reactive groups and ligands. This Feature Article highlights the recent development on using core-shell structured amphiphilic star polymers as unimolecular containers for applications in drug delivery, catalysis, and template of hybrid nanomaterials. As compared with dendrimers, star polymers enjoy advantages of facile synthesis, flexible compositions, and tunable sizes, which allow them being able to carry more and multiple cargos within one molecule.

• 出版日期2012-5-14