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Polymers, Volume 2, Issue 2 (June 2010) – 5 articles , Pages 31-101

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664 KiB  
Review
Intelligent Polymeric Nanocarriers Responding to Physical or Biological Signals: A New Paradigm of Cytosolic Drug Delivery for Tumor Treatment
by Bo Reum Lee, Hye Jung Baik, Nam Muk Oh and Eun Seong Lee
Polymers 2010, 2(2), 86-101; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym2020086 - 22 Jun 2010
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9524
Abstract
The physicochemical properties of stimuli-responsive polymers change with physical or biological signals, such as pH, enzyme concentrations, and temperature. These polymers have attracted considerable attention in the field of drug delivery. The drug carrier system, which was revolutionized by the introduction of these [...] Read more.
The physicochemical properties of stimuli-responsive polymers change with physical or biological signals, such as pH, enzyme concentrations, and temperature. These polymers have attracted considerable attention in the field of drug delivery. The drug carrier system, which was revolutionized by the introduction of these polymers, has recently provided a new paradigm of maximizing the therapeutic activity of drugs. This review highlights recent studies regarding stimuli-responsive drug carriers tailor-made for effective cytosolic drug delivery, with particular emphasis on tumor treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Stimuli-Responsive (co)Polymers)
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880 KiB  
Article
Shape-Memory Properties of Segmented Polymers Containing Aramid Hard Segments and Polycaprolactone Soft Segments
by Christian Schuh, Kerstin Schuh, Maria C. Lechmann, Louis Garnier and Arno Kraft
Polymers 2010, 2(2), 71-85; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym2020071 - 08 Jun 2010
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 10492
Abstract
A series of segmented multiblock copolymers containing aramid hard segments and extended polycaprolactone soft segments (with an Mn of 4,200 or 8,200 g mol–1) was prepared and tested for their shape-memory properties. Chain extenders were essential to raise the hard [...] Read more.
A series of segmented multiblock copolymers containing aramid hard segments and extended polycaprolactone soft segments (with an Mn of 4,200 or 8,200 g mol–1) was prepared and tested for their shape-memory properties. Chain extenders were essential to raise the hard segment concentration so that an extended rubbery plateau could be observed. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis provided a useful guide in identifying (i) the presence of a rubbery plateau, (ii) the flow temperature, and (iii) the temperature when samples started to deform irreversibly. Full article
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191 KiB  
Review
Biological and Biomimetic Comb Polyelectrolytes
by Thomas Andrew Waigh and Aristeidis Papagiannopoulos
Polymers 2010, 2(2), 57-70; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym2020057 - 26 May 2010
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 9979
Abstract
Some new phenomena involved in the physical properties of comb polyelectrolyte solutions are reviewed. Special emphasis is given to synthetic biomimetic materials, and the structures formed by these molecules are compared with those of naturally occurring glycoprotein and proteoglycan solutions. Developments in the [...] Read more.
Some new phenomena involved in the physical properties of comb polyelectrolyte solutions are reviewed. Special emphasis is given to synthetic biomimetic materials, and the structures formed by these molecules are compared with those of naturally occurring glycoprotein and proteoglycan solutions. Developments in the determination of the structure and dynamics (viscoelasticity) of comb polymers in solution are also covered. Specifically the appearance of multi-globular structures, helical instabilities, liquid crystalline phases, and the self-assembly of the materials to produce hierarchical comb morphologies is examined. Comb polyelectrolytes are surface active and a short review is made of some recent experiments in this area that relate to their morphology when suspended in solution. We hope to emphasize the wide variety of phenomena demonstrated by the vast range of naturally occurring comb polyelectrolytes and the challenges presented to synthetic chemists designing biomimetic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyelectrolytes)
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1053 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Environmentally Responsive Polymers by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Generation of Reversible Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surfaces
by Vikas Mittal
Polymers 2010, 2(2), 40-56; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym2020040 - 12 May 2010
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8717
Abstract
Environmentally responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes were grafted from the surface of polymer particles or flat surfaces in order to generate reversible hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. The use of atom transfer radical polymerization was demonstrated for the grafting of polymer brushes as it [...] Read more.
Environmentally responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes were grafted from the surface of polymer particles or flat surfaces in order to generate reversible hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. The use of atom transfer radical polymerization was demonstrated for the grafting of polymer brushes as it allows efficient control on the amount of grafted polymer. The polymer particles were generated with or without surfactant in the emulsion polymerization and their surface could be modified with the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator. The uniform functionalization of the surface with ATRP initiator was responsible for the uniform grafting of polymer brushes. The grafted brushes responded reversibly with changes in temperature indicating that the reversible responsive behavior could be translated to the particle surfaces. The particles were observed to adsorb and desorb protein and virus molecules by changing the temperatures below or higher than 32 °C. The initiator functionalized particles could also be adsorbed on the flat surfaces. The adsorption process also required optimization of the heat treatment conditions to form a uniform layer of the particles on the substrate. The grafted polymer brushes also responded to the changes in temperatures similar to the spherical particles studied through water droplets placed on the flat substrates. Full article
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1644 KiB  
Article
Thermal-Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane-Clay Shape Memory Polymer Nanocomposites
by Bin Xu, Yong Qing Fu, Wei Min Huang, Yu Tao Pei, Zhen Guo Chen, Jeff T.M. De Hosson, Arno Kraft and R. L. Reuben
Polymers 2010, 2(2), 31-39; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym2020031 - 26 Apr 2010
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 13848
Abstract
Shape memory nanocomposites of polyurethane (PU)-clay were fabricated by melt mixing of PU and nano-clay. Based on nano-indentation and microhardness tests, the strength of the nanocomposites increased dramatically as a function of clay content, which is attributed to the enhanced nanoclay–polymer interactions. Thermal [...] Read more.
Shape memory nanocomposites of polyurethane (PU)-clay were fabricated by melt mixing of PU and nano-clay. Based on nano-indentation and microhardness tests, the strength of the nanocomposites increased dramatically as a function of clay content, which is attributed to the enhanced nanoclay–polymer interactions. Thermal mechanical experiments demonstrated good mechanical and shape memory effects of the nanocomposites. Full shape memory recovery was displayed by both the pure PU and PU-clay nanocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Stimuli-Responsive (co)Polymers)
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