INS1-0048
Nanoscale Polymer Discs: Synthesis and Drug Delivery
Topic
S1. Polymer Synthesis
When and Where
Oct 1, 2026
10:45 - 11:10
Room 101
Session Chairs
Jeewoo LIM
Presenter(s)
Markus Muellner (The University of Sydney)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Polymer nanodiscs are challenging to make.1-3 This is because self-assembly processes typically yield micelle shapes of minimised interfacial energy, like spheres or vesicles. Flattening such assemblies is more intricate, as block ratios and solvent—polymer interactions alone cannot compensate for the energy costs to flatten a curved surface or interface. Taking on this challenge, we designed an amphiphilic, tadpole-like copolymer featuring a hydrophilic linear block and a hydrophobic bottlebrush block. The linear segment assumes a coil-like conformation, while the bottlebrush segment adopts a stiffened, rod-like structure. Using this ‘rod-coil’ architecture facilitated planar packing of brush segments and yielded nanoscale polymer discs via spontaneous self-assembly in water. A characteristic feature of this methodology is the possibility to select the chemical composition of the brush segment without compromising the disc formation. This allows the introduction of functionality into these amorphous core-shell nanodiscs, enabling triggered disassembly and/or drug release, depolymerisation, or shape-transformation.4-9 My talk will introduce our approach.
References
1) ERL Brisson, MJH Worthington, S Kerai, M Müllner. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2024, 53, 1984-2021.
2) Y Shi, W Zhu, D Yao, M Long, B Peng, K Zhang, Y Chen. ACS Macro Lett. 2014, 3, 70-73.
3) M. Long, Y. Shi, K Zhang, Y Chen. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2016, 37, 605-609.
4) H Zeng, X Liang, DA Roberts, ER Gillies, M Müllner. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202318881.
5) H Zeng, P Zeng, J Baek, B-S Kim, M Müllner. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202424269.
6) SD Kerai, S Takano, P Zeng, M Müllner. ACS Macro Lett. 2025, 14, 834-840.
7) S Takano, M Müllner. J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 20250568.
8) S Takano, T Nishimura, YT Cheng, M Müllner. Polym. Chem. 2025, 16, 2244-2253.
9) P Zeng, H Zeng, J Baek, B Yoo, B-S Kim, M Müllner. JACS Au 2026, 6, 2089.
References
1) ERL Brisson, MJH Worthington, S Kerai, M Müllner. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2024, 53, 1984-2021.
2) Y Shi, W Zhu, D Yao, M Long, B Peng, K Zhang, Y Chen. ACS Macro Lett. 2014, 3, 70-73.
3) M. Long, Y. Shi, K Zhang, Y Chen. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2016, 37, 605-609.
4) H Zeng, X Liang, DA Roberts, ER Gillies, M Müllner. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202318881.
5) H Zeng, P Zeng, J Baek, B-S Kim, M Müllner. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202424269.
6) SD Kerai, S Takano, P Zeng, M Müllner. ACS Macro Lett. 2025, 14, 834-840.
7) S Takano, M Müllner. J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 20250568.
8) S Takano, T Nishimura, YT Cheng, M Müllner. Polym. Chem. 2025, 16, 2244-2253.
9) P Zeng, H Zeng, J Baek, B Yoo, B-S Kim, M Müllner. JACS Au 2026, 6, 2089.
