Polymer and polymer-hybrid nanoparticles : from synthesis to biomedical applications

Polymeric and hybrid nanoparticles have received increased scientific interest in terms of basic research as well as commercial applications, promising a variety of uses for nanostructures in fields including bionanotechnology and medicine. Condensing the relevant research into a comprehensive reference, Polymer and Polymer-Hybrid Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Biomedical Applications covers an array of topics from synthetic procedures and macromolecular design to possible biomedical applications of nanoparticles and materials based on original and unique polymers.

The book presents a well-rounded picture of objects ranging from simple polymeric micelles to complex hybrid polymer-based nanostructures, detailing synthetic procedures, techniques for characterization and analysis, properties, and behavior in selective solvents and dispersions. Each chapter contains background and introductory information, summarizing generalities on the nanosystems being discussed. The chapters also describe representative works of experts and provide in-depth, focused discussions.

The authors present current knowledge on the following topics:

Designed synthesis of functional polymers Construction of block copolymer micellar and nonmicellar self-assembled structures Construction of organic-organic hybrid nanosized particles Construction of organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanoassemblies

The final chapter addresses biological applications of polymeric nanoparticles, including delivery of low-molecular-weight drugs, macromolecular drugs, imaging and diagnostics, and photodynamic therapy. Summarizing important developments in the field, the authors condense relevant research into a comprehensive resource.

Author Notes

Stanislav Rangelov, Ph.D., has served as an associate professor at the Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, since 2005 and as a full professor since 2011. Presently, he serves as head of the Laboratory of Polymerization Processes and chair of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Polymers. His research interests include controlled polymerization processes, self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers, and polymer and polymer-hybrid nanosized particles.

Stergios Pispas, Ph.D. , has served as a senior researcher at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (TPCI-NHRF), Athens, Greece, since 2009. He also served as editor of the European Physical Journal E (2003-2012). Dr. Pispas received the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award (1995) and the ACS A. K. Doolittle Award (2003). His current research focuses on the synthesis of functional block copolymers and polyelectrolytes, as well as the study of complex, self-organized, "hybrid" nanosystems based on polymers and surfactants, biomacromolecules, and inorganic nanomaterials.

Preface	p. xi
Authors	p. xiii
List of Abbreviations	p. xv
Chapter 1 Polymer Synthesis	p. 1
1.1 Introduction	p. 1
1.2 Generalities on Living/Controlled Polymerizations	p. 2
1.2.1 Anionic Polymerization	p. 2
1.2.2 Cationic Polymerization	p. 4
1.2.3 Controlled Free-Radical Polymerization	p. 6
1.2.4 Group Transfer Polymerization	p. 7
1.2.5 Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization	p. 8
1.2.6 Other Ring-Opening Polymerization Schemes	p. 8
1.3 Block Copolymers	p. 9
1.3.1 General Synthetic Strategies Leading to Block Copolymers	p. 12
1.3.2 Examples from Syntheses of Block Copolymers	p. 14
1.3.2.1 Linear Block Copolymers by Sequential Controlled Monomer Polymerization	p. 14
1.3.2.2 Other Synthetic Schemes for the Synthesis of Linear Block Copolymers	p. 28
1.3.2.3 Nonlinear Block Copolymers	p. 34
1.3.2.4 Postpolymerization Functionalization of Block Copolymers	p. 48
1.4 Heterogeneous Polymerization Techniques for Polymeric Nanoparticle Synthesis	p. 54
References	p. 60
Chapter 2 Polymeric Nanoparticles from Pure Block Copolymers	p. 67
2.1 General Aspects of Copolymer Self-Assembly	p. 67
2.1.1 Complex Phase Behavior of Low-Molecular-Weight Amphiphilic Molecules	p. 67
2.1.2 Driving Forces, Critical Concentrations, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics of Self-Assembly of Low-Molecular-Weight Surfactants	p. 70
2.1.3 Generalities, Common Features, and Differences in the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Copolymers	p. 76
2.1.3.1 Generalities	p. 76
2.1.3.2 Critical Concentrations and Temperatures	p. 77
2.1.3.3 Aggregate Evolution and Micellization Kinetics	p. 79
2.1.3.4 Computer Simulation and Modeling, Scaling and Mean-Field Theories, and Mathematical Approaches to Copolymer Self-Assembly	p. 80
2.1.3.5 Summary and Conclusions	p. 84
2.2 Self-Assembled Polymeric Aggregates: From Micelles to Vesicles and More Complex Structures	p. 86
2.2.1 Spherical Micelles	p. 86
2.2.1.1 General Features	p. 86
2.2.1.2 Chain Architecture and Nature of Constituent Blocks of Spherical Micelle-Forming Copolymers	p. 92
2.2.2 Wormlike Aggregates	p. 129
2.2.2.1 General Features	p. 129
2.2.2.2 Copolymer Chain Architecture, Nature of the Constituent Blocks, and Properties of the Resulting Worms	p. 130
2.2.2.3 Toroidal Micelles	p. 148
2.2.3 Polymer Vesicles (Polymersomes)	p. 151
2.2.3.1 Definition, Structure, Morphology, and Dimensions	p. 152
2.2.3.2 Copolymer Chain Architecture and Constituent Blocks	p. 161
2.2.3.3 Methods for Preparation	p. 179
2.2.3.4 Polymersome Physical and Mechanical Properties	p. 184
2.2.4 Other Morphologies	p. 187
2.2.4.1 Multicompartment Micelles	p. 187
2.2.4.2 Disklike Micelles	p. 195
2.2.4.3 Bicontinuous Micelles	p. 201
References	p. 206
Chapter 3 Organic-Organic Hybrid Nanoassemblies	p. 219
3.1 Introductory Notes	p. 219
3.2 Polymer-Surfactant Hybrid Structures	p. 220
3.3 Polymer-Lipid Hybrid Structures	p. 231
3.4 Polymer-Polymer Hybrid Structures	p. 250
3.5 Hybrid Structures Formed upon Interaction of Polymers with Proteins and Peptides	p. 268
3.6 Hybrid Structures Formed upon Interactions of Polymers with Oligo- and Polynucleotides	p. 275
References	p. 292
Chapter 4 Hybrid Polymeric Nanoparticles Containing Inorganic Nanostructures	p. 303
4.1 Introduction	p. 303
4.2 Some General Features of Inorganic Nanoparticles	p. 303
4.3 Polymers as Ligands for Nanoparticle Formation and Stabilization	p. 306
4.4 Synthesis of Inorganic Nanoparticles in Block Copolymer Micelles and Other Polymeric Nanostructures in Solutions	p. 309
4.5 Hybrid Nanostructures from Preformed Inorganic Nanoparticles and Block Copolymers	p. 322
4.6 Hybrid Polymersomes	p. 325
4.7 Surface-Modified Inorganic Nanoparticles by Grafted Polymer Chains	p. 331
4.8 Hybrid Polymeric Nanoparticles via (Mini)Emulsion Polymerization	p. 341
4.9 Hybrid Nanoparticles by LbL Approaches and Hybrid Polymeric (Polyelectrolyte) Nanocapsules	p. 352
4.10 Hybrid Nanoparticles Incorporating Block Copolymers and Carbon Nanomaterials	p. 357
References	p. 361
Chapter 5 Biological Applications of Polymeric Nanoparticles	p. 369
5.1 Delivery of Low-Molecular-Weight Drugs	p. 369
5.2 Delivery of Macromolecular Drugs	p. 389
5.2.1 Gene Delivery	p. 389
5.2.1.1 Biological Barriers to Gene Delivery	p. 389
5.2.1.2 Polymer-Based Nonviral Gene Carriers	p. 394
5.2.2 Delivery and Encapsulation of Proteins and Enzymes: Enzymatic Nanoreactors	p. 426
5.3 Applications in Imaging and Diagnostics	p. 435
5.4 Polymeric Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy	p. 443
5.5 Multifunctional Polymeric Nanoparticles	p. 446
References	p. 457
Index	p. 467

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