Preparation of size-tunable, highly monodisperse particles by self-assembly of N-phthaloylchitosan-g-polycaprolactone molecular bottle brushes

Abstract

A series of amphiphilic N-phthaloylchitosan-g-polycaprolactone (PHCS-g-PCL) molecular bottle brushes were prepared by “graft onto” method. The narrow distribution of polycaprolactone (PCL) side chains ensures that the molecular bottle brushes can self-assemble into particles with a narrow size distribution in aqueous solution. The size of the self-assembled polymeric particles can be tuned by three parameters such as PCL chain length, grafting content and the concentration of molecular bottle brushes. The tunable particles would be a promising candidate for potential application for new clean energy sources, pollution control systems, catalysis or catalyst supports, nanoscale sensors, and drug delivery tools working inside the human body.