Programmed photodegradation of polymeric/oligomeric materials derived from renewable bioresources.

Renewable polymeric materials derived from biomass with built-in phototriggers were synthesized and evaluated for degradation under irradiation of UV light. Complete decomposition of the polymeric materials was observed with recovery of the monomer that was used to resynthesize the polymers.

Solvent-responsive self-assembly of amphiphilic invertible polymers determined with SANS.

Amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs) are a new class of macromolecules that self-assemble into micellar structures and rapidly change structure in response to changes in solvent polarity. Using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data, we obtained a quantitative description of the invertible micellar assemblies (IMAs). The detailed composition and size of the assemblies (including the effect of temperature) were measured in aqueous and toluene polymer solutions.

Invertible micellar polymer assemblies for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Strategically designed amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs) are capable of (i) self-assembling into invertible micellar assemblies (IMAs) in response to changes in polarity of environment, polymer concentration, and structure, (ii) accommodating (solubilizing) substances that are otherwise insoluble in water, and (iii) inverting their molecular conformation in response to changes in the polarity of the local environment. The unique ability of AIPs to invert the molecular conformation depending on the polarity of the environment can be a decisive factor in establishing the novel stimuli-responsive mechanism of solubilized drug release that is induced just in response to a change in the polarity of the environment. The IMA capability to solubilize lipophilic drugs and deliver and release the cargo molecules by conformational inversion of polymer macromolecules in response to a change of the polarity of the environment was demonstrated by loading IMA with a phytochemical drug, curcumin.