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Polymers
Special Issues
New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly
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New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 September 2024 | Viewed by 7856

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Guangtong Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China
Interests: molecular self-assembly; amphiphiles; dissipative self-assembly; porous materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer self-assembly is one of the bridges connecting chemical science and biological science, as a large number of vital movements are dependent on the self-assembly of biomacromolecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Moreover, polymer self-assembly is also a powerful tool that can be used to create functional materials. Therefore, polymer self-assembly has attracted extensive interest in the research community, including from chemists, biologists, and material scientists.

This Special Issue aims to present the recent advances in the research on polymer self-assembly, including on new concepts, theories, methods, structures, and functions. Studies and reviews presenting original research on polymer self-assembly are of interest. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  • Basic principles of polymer self-assembly;
  • Newly self-assembled structures;
  • Self-assembly of biomacromolecules;
  • Supramolecular polymers;
  • Polymer self-assembly outside of thermodynamic equilibrium;
  • Functional structures and materials fabricated by polymer self-assembly.

Dr. Guangtong Wang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer self-assembly
  • supramolecular polymers
  • functional materials

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 16857 KiB  
Article
Cationic Azobenzenes as Light-Responsive Crosslinkers for Alginate-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels
by Miriam Di Martino, Lucia Sessa, Barbara Panunzi, Rosita Diana, Stefano Piotto and Simona Concilio
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091233 - 28 Apr 2024
Viewed by 338
Abstract
Azobenzene photoswitches are fundamental components in contemporary approaches aimed at light-driven control of intelligent materials. Significant endeavors are directed towards enhancing the light-triggered reactivity of azobenzenes for such applications and obtaining water-soluble molecules able to act as crosslinkers in a hydrogel. Here, we [...] Read more.
Azobenzene photoswitches are fundamental components in contemporary approaches aimed at light-driven control of intelligent materials. Significant endeavors are directed towards enhancing the light-triggered reactivity of azobenzenes for such applications and obtaining water-soluble molecules able to act as crosslinkers in a hydrogel. Here, we report the rational design and the synthesis of azobenzene/alginate photoresponsive hydrogels endowed with fast reversible sol–gel transition. We started with the synthesis of three cationic azobenzenes (AZOs A, B, and C) and then incorporated them in sodium alginate (SA) to obtain photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogels (SMHGs). The photoresponsive properties of the azobenzenes were investigated by UV–Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Upon irradiation with 365 nm UV light, the azobenzenes demonstrated efficient trans-to-cis isomerization, with complete isomerization occurring within seconds. The return to the trans form took several hours, with AZO C exhibiting the fastest return, possibly due to higher trans isomer stability. In the photoresponsive SMHGs, the minimum gelation concentration (MGC) of azobenzenes was determined for different compositions, indicating that small amounts of azobenzenes could induce gel formation, particularly in 5 wt% SA. Upon exposure to 365 nm UV light, the SMHGs exhibited reversible gel–sol transitions, underscoring their photoresponsive nature. This research offers valuable insights into the synthesis and photoresponsive properties of cationic, water-soluble azobenzenes, as well as their potential application in the development of photoresponsive hydrogels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly)
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26 pages, 3871 KiB  
Article
On the Fractionation and Physicochemical Characterisation of Self-Assembled Chitosan–DNA Polyelectrolyte Complexes
by Ayesha Sajid, Matteo Castronovo and Francisco M. Goycoolea
Polymers 2023, 15(9), 2115; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092115 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1190
Abstract
Chitosan is extensively studied as a carrier for gene delivery and is an attractive non-viral gene vector owing to its polycationic, biodegradable, and biocompatible nature. Thus, it is essential to understand the chemistry of self-assembled chitosan–DNA complexation and their structural and functional properties, [...] Read more.
Chitosan is extensively studied as a carrier for gene delivery and is an attractive non-viral gene vector owing to its polycationic, biodegradable, and biocompatible nature. Thus, it is essential to understand the chemistry of self-assembled chitosan–DNA complexation and their structural and functional properties, enabling the formation of an effective non-viral gene delivery system. In this study, two parent chitosans (samples NAS-032 and NAS-075; Mw range ~118–164 kDa) and their depolymerised derivatives (deploy nas-032 and deploy nas-075; Mw range 6–14 kDa) with degrees of acetylation 43.4 and 4.7%, respectively, were used to form polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with DNA at varying [–NH3+]/[–PO4−] (N/P) molar charge ratios. We investigated the formation of the PECs using ζ-potential, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with multiangle light scattering (MALS), refractive index (RI), ultraviolet (UV) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) detectors, and TEM imaging. PEC formation was confirmed by ζ-potential measurements that shifted from negative to positive values at N/P ratio ~2. The radius of gyration (Rg) was determined for the eluting fractions by AF4-MALS-RI-UV, while the corresponding hydrodynamic radius (Rh), by the DLS data. We studied the influence of different cross-flow rates on AF4 elution patterns for PECs obtained at N/P ratios 5, 10, and 20. The determined rho shape factor (ρ = Rg/Rh) values for the various PECs corresponded with a sphere morphology (ρ ~0.77–0.85), which was consistent with TEM images. The results of this study represent a further step towards the characterisation of chitosan–DNA PECs by the use of multi-detection AF4 as an important tool to fractionate and infer aspects of their morphology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly)
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13 pages, 21954 KiB  
Article
The Dual Modification of PNIPAM and β-Cyclodextrin Grafted on Hyaluronic Acid as Self-Assembled Nanogel for Curcumin Delivery
by Tisana Kaewruethai, Yuan Lin, Qian Wang and Jittima Amie Luckanagul
Polymers 2023, 15(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15010116 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2187
Abstract
Curcumin is an extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa) which possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and wound-healing effects and has been used as an active compound in biomedical research for many years. However, its poor solubility presents challenges for its use in drug delivery [...] Read more.
Curcumin is an extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa) which possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and wound-healing effects and has been used as an active compound in biomedical research for many years. However, its poor solubility presents challenges for its use in drug delivery systems. A modified nanogel delivery system, with PNIPAM and β-cyclodextrin grafted onto hyaluronic acid (PNCDHA), was utilized to enhance the solubility. The polymer was characterized by NMR, and the inclusion complex between curcumin and β-cyclodextrin was confirmed by FTIR. The potential of this PNCDHA polymer complex as a drug delivery vehicle was supported by a curcumin encapsulation efficiency of 93.14 ± 5.6% and the release of encapsulated curcumin at 37 °C. At a concentration of 0.5% w/v in water, PNCDHA nanogels were biocompatible with fibroblast cell line (L929) up to a curcumin concentration of 50 µM. There was a direct concentration between curcumin loading and cellular internalization. A more detailed study of the cellular internalization of PNCDHA nanogel should be considered in order to clarify cellular delivery mechanisms and to assess how its viability as a carrier may be optimized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly)
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Review

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14 pages, 2316 KiB  
Review
Polymer-Based Self-Assembled Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma Treatment: Design Strategies and Recent Advances
by Hao Sun, Guangtong Wang, Qingying Feng and Shaoqin Liu
Polymers 2023, 15(22), 4466; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15224466 - 20 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1289
Abstract
Glaucoma has become the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness, and one of its main characteristics is high intraocular pressure. Currently, the non-surgical drug treatment scheme to reduce intraocular pressure is a priority method for glaucoma treatment. However, the complex and special structure [...] Read more.
Glaucoma has become the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness, and one of its main characteristics is high intraocular pressure. Currently, the non-surgical drug treatment scheme to reduce intraocular pressure is a priority method for glaucoma treatment. However, the complex and special structure of the eye poses significant challenges to the treatment effect and safety adherence of this drug treatment approach. To address these challenges, the application of polymer-based self-assembled drug delivery systems in glaucoma treatment has emerged. This review focuses on the utilization of polymer-based self-assembled structures or materials as important functional and intelligent carriers for drug delivery in glaucoma treatment. Various drug delivery systems, such as eye drops, hydrogels, and contact lenses, are discussed. Additionally, the review primarily summarizes the design strategies and methods used to enhance the treatment effect and safety compliance of these polymer-based drug delivery systems. Finally, the discussion delves into the new challenges and prospects of employing polymer-based self-assembled drug delivery systems for the treatment of glaucoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly)
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45 pages, 16372 KiB  
Review
Supramolecular Combination Cancer Therapy Based on Macrocyclic Supramolecular Materials
by Yilin Li, Yuteng Su, Zhaoxiang Li and Yueyue Chen
Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4855; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224855 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2165
Abstract
Supramolecular combination therapy adopts supramolecular materials to design intelligent drug delivery systems with different strategies for cancer treatments. Thereinto, macrocyclic supramolecular materials play a crucial role in encapsulating anticancer drugs to improve anticancer efficiency and decrease toxicity towards normal tissue by host–guest interaction. [...] Read more.
Supramolecular combination therapy adopts supramolecular materials to design intelligent drug delivery systems with different strategies for cancer treatments. Thereinto, macrocyclic supramolecular materials play a crucial role in encapsulating anticancer drugs to improve anticancer efficiency and decrease toxicity towards normal tissue by host–guest interaction. In general, chemotherapy is still common therapy for solid tumors in clinics. However, supramolecular combination therapy can overcome the limitations of the traditional single-drug chemotherapy in the laboratory findings. In this review, we summarized the combination chemotherapy, photothermal chemotherapy, and gene chemotherapy based on macrocyclic supramolecular materials. Finally, the application prospects in supramolecular combination therapy are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress in Polymer Self-Assembly)
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