Saccharide- and temperature-responsive polymer brushes grown on gold nanoshells for controlled release of diols

A general approach to endow gold nanoshells a new function of controlled release was established by coating stimulus-responsive polymers on their surfaces via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Incorporating boronic acid groups in polymer brushes, the controlled release of Alizarin Red S (ARS) was dynamically shown, through reversible covalent binding between boronic acid and diol.

. Gold nanoshells coated with polymer brushes, PMAA and PNIPAAM-co-PMAA, show saccharide- and temperature-responsive diol releases by incorporating boronic groups. This multifunctional nanomaterial provides a core for bioimaging and a shell for drug release.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► PNIPAAM-co-PMAA polymer brushes were fabricated on gold nanoshells (AuNS) via SI-ATRP.
► Modify the hybrids of AuNS@PNIPAAM-co-PMAA with boronic acid to be drug carriers.
► Controlled releases were performed in vitro under saccharide substitution and temperature enhancement.