Design of responsive and degradable supramolecular host-guest polymer nanostructures for therapeutic applications
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In recent years, the fast development of the supramolecular host-guest interactions has attracted significant attention. Based on the dynamic interaction between macrocyclic structures and a variety of matching guests, two chemical entities can be conveniently bond together without the need for further reactions. These features also facilitate straightforward modifications of polymers to create more advanced materials with tunable properties or additional functionalities. Most commonly cyclodextrins have been used as supramolecular hosts and opened up exiting new opportunities in the field of polymer chemistry. More recently, a new generation of macrocycles, the pillar[n]arenes was established which not only broadened the range of guests but also allowed the facile modification of their exterior. The early reports on these materials certainly prove their potential, however several aspects concerning the building of polymer nanostructures based on such supramolecular host-guest complexes, as well as their therapeutic applications as smart nanocarriers remain unexplored. The presented thesis aims to investigate several strategies based on the above-mentioned interactions and materials. It is subdivided into chapters on (1) the formation of quasi-block copolymers that are constructed via host-guest interaction of water-soluble pillar[5]arene based polymers and guest modified hydrophobic polymers, which were assembled into nanoparticles, (2) the investigation of thermoresponsive polymers (PDMDOMA) modified with pillar[5]arenes to tune their LCST behavior and hydrolysis rate, (3) the formulation and characterization of degradable nanogels prepared from above the above mentioned thermoresponsive polymers for encapsulation and release of chemotherapeutic (doxorubicin: DOX) and, finally, (4) the integration of supramolecular host-guest interactions into nanogels for the tuning of encapsulation and release of DOX and the introduction of targeting units at the surface of these nanogels.
DOI: 10.22032/dbt.45873
Author: Wei, Peng
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3089154642