Issue 27, 2016

Stimuli-responsive polymersomes and nanoreactors

Abstract

Macromolecular self-assembly is attracting increasing scientific interest in polymer science. One of the most studied assemblies are stimuli-responsive polymersomes that can convert specific environmental changes to functional outputs based on a physicochemical adjustment of their chain structures and membrane properties. These unique features have made it possible to design and construct smart self-assembled architectures for various emerging applications such as polymeric nanocapsules for tunable delivery vehicles. Moreover, stimuli-responsive polymersomes possess the ability to encapsulate active enzymatic species which makes them well suited as nanoreactors capable of performing enzymatic reactions. In this regard, this class of smart polymersomes provides an avenue to apply synthetic polymer systems as biomimetic materials. Here, in this review, we will highlight recent progress with regard to stimuli-responsive polymer vesicles/nanocapsules and their development towards intelligent nanocarriers and nanoreactors or artificial organelles.

Graphical abstract: Stimuli-responsive polymersomes and nanoreactors

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
09 May 2016
Accepted
16 Jun 2016
First published
17 Jun 2016

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016,4, 4632-4647

Stimuli-responsive polymersomes and nanoreactors

H. Che and J. C. M. van Hest, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016, 4, 4632 DOI: 10.1039/C6TB01163B

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