Project Abstract:

This project focuses on developing novel stimuli-sensitive fullerene (C₆₀) containing well-defined polymers for drug and gene delivery applications. Three major stimuli responsive C₆₀ containing polymer systems will be considered; namely polymethacrylic acid/ polyacrylic acid-block-C₆₀ (PMAA-b-C₆₀/PAA-b-C₆₀), poly(2- (diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)/2-(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-block-C₆₀ (PDMA-b-C₆₀/PDEA-b-C₆₀) and betainised poly(2-(diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-block-C₆₀ (Bet-PDMA-b- C₆₀). The self-assembly of these materials produces a complex hierarchical structure that can be harnessed for potential applications described in this proposal. The atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) will be adopted to synthesize a range of mono-dispersed block copolymers. Other stimuli-sensitive functional groups can be used to impart pH, temperature and electrolyte (salt) sensitivity to the polymers. These polymers exhibit interesting microstructure for potential drug delivery applications.