Multiresponsive Micellar Systems from Photocleavable Block Copolymers.

This contribution describes the synthesis and associating behavior in water of a multiresponsive amphiphilic diblock copolymer. This copolymer is composed of an hydrophobic photocleavable poly(-methoxyphenacyl methacrylate) block (PMPMA) and a hydrophilic thermosensitive poly[(oligo ethylene glycol)methacrylate] block (POEGMA). The PMPMA--POEGMA copolymer forms micelles with a PMPMA core and a POEGMA corona in water. Light irradiation leads to the transformation of PMPMA into poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and to the disruption of the initial micelles. The response of the accordingly obtained PMAA--POEGMA copolymer to pH, temperature, calcium (Ca), and phosphate (PO) ions is demonstrated.