Thermoresponsive AuNPs Stabilized by Pillararene-Containing Polymers

Pillararene-containing thermoresponsive polymers are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using pillararene derivatives as the effective chain transfer agents for the first time. These polymers can self-assemble into micelles and form vesicles after guest molecules are added. Furthermore, such functional polymers can be further applied to prepare hybrid gold nanoparticles, which integrate the thermoresponsivity of polymers and molecular recognition of pillararenes. Narrow-disperse thermoresponsive polymers end capped with pillararene (P5A-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using pillararene derivatives as the effective chain transfer agent for the first time. Such functional polymers can be applied to prepare hybrid gold nanoparticles, which integrate the thermoresponsivity of polymers and molecular recognition of pillararenes.