pH-Responsive Double-Hydrophilic Block Copolymers: Synthesis and Drug Delivery Application

A novel double-hydrophilic block copolymer P(MEO 2 MA- co -OEGMA)- b -PAMA has been successfully synthesized by two-step RAFT polymerization. Then, the amino groups of PAMA blocks in the copolymers react with 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde via a “Schiff-base” reaction, and the resulting copolymers are self-assembled to form spherical micelles in aqueous solution. Because the “Schiff-base” linkage is pH sensitive, the release rate of pyrene depends upon the pH of solution. Complete release is achieved at pH 1, and the control release is much faster at pH 5.5 than that at pH 7.4. With progress of pyrene release, the micelles are disassembled gradually and disappeared completely at last. This double-hydrophilic copolymer is a promising candidate of drug carrier for the aldehyde- containing hydrophobic drugs.