| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32058 | Nano Today | 2015 | 20 Pages |
•The application of selenium/tellurium containing polymers in fabricating functional nanomaterials is highlighted.•Selenium/tellurium chemistry can be used to construct stimuli-responsive systems with enhanced sensitivity.•The biological activities of selenium and tellurium elements endow the materials with tunable biological functions.•The perspective and challenges of selenium/tellurium containing polymer materials are discussed.
SummarySelenium/tellurium containing polymers have been attracting growing interest due to their unique properties and potential applications as bio-nanomaterials. The introduction of selenium or tellurium chemistry into block copolymers endows self-assembled nanomaterials with novel stimuli responsiveness and enhanced sensitivity. This review article provides an overview on recent advances of selenium/tellurium containing polymers. We summarize the redox response and reversible self-assembly behaviors, γ-ray responsive systems for combined chemo- and radio-therapies, and coordination-responsive systems for controlled delivery are highlighted. The review then reveals how selenium-containing polymers can modulate reactive oxygen species and work as gene delivery vehicles or self-delivery therapeutics.
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