Single Chain Polymer Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, the formation of single chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) from linear polymer chains via various methods has been explored including noncovalent, covalent and dynamic covalent bonding. Besides this, the polymerization techniques that are used to synthesize the precursor polymers is discussed with the SCNPs confirmation by the analytical tools. The contribution highlights a selection of exciting examples for preparing SCNPs within the last five years. The review starts to consider SCNPs via Covalent Cross-linking including Cycloaddition, thiol-ene and disulfide bridges. Subsequently, the discussion addresses SCNPs via supramolecular interaction including H- bonding, host- guest and hydrophobic interactions. The third part of the article highlights the utilization of metal coordination to synthesize SCNPs. Finally, the SCNPs formation by quaternization and step-growth polymerization are highlighted.