One-pot synthetic strategy to core cross-linked micelles with pH-sensitive cross-linked cores and temperature-sensitive shells through RAFT polymerization

Functional micelles with a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) shell and a cross-linked poly((acrylic acid)co-( ethylene glycol diacrylate)) core have been successfully prepared in one pot by the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer ( RAFT) copolymerization of acrylic acid and ethylene glycol diacrylate in selective solvent using PNIPAM-SC(S)Ph as a RAFT agent. Since PNIPAM and poly( acrylic acid) are temperature- and pH-sensitive polymers, respectively, the micelles obtained should display double environmental sensitivity to temperature and pH in water.