Core Functionalization of Hollow Polymer Nanocapsules

摘要

Hollow nanoscale polymer capsules have found wide applications in drug delivery and catalysis. Polymer nanocapsules can be prepared via self-assembly or through the use of a sacrificial nanoscale template. In the former strategy, amphiphilic diblock copolymers that self-assemble into core-shell micelles are cross-linked in their exterior block, followed by removal of the core. In the latter approach, a nanoparticle is used either as a template for the inititation of polymerization, or as a support on which polymers are adsorbed. Cross-linking of the resultant polymer shell followed by removal of the template generates the nanocapsule. The use of nanocapsules and related materials requires control over cargo entry and exit and installation of diverse chemical functionality in the capsule interior. Despite the diversity of methods for nanocapsule preparation, methods for efficiently functionalizing the core of hollow nanocapsules are scarce.