INS8-0438
Tailoring Acetal Pendant Hydrolysis in Soft Matters: From Programmable Hydrogels to 2D Nanodiscs
Topic
S8. Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
16:40 - 16:55
Room 108
Session Chairs
Sung Yun YANG
Kwangsoo SHIN
Presenter(s)
Byeong-Su Kim (Yonsei University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
We present a versatile, pendant strategy for ABA-type triblock copolyethers that enables precise control over degradation kinetics via acid-labile acetal groups. Unlike traditional systems relying on unpredictable backbone scission, we achieve orthogonally tunable hydrolysis rates by modulating the chemical structure of acetal pendants. This molecular-level design allows for the programming of macroscopic viscoelastic transitions and drug-release profiles, demonstrated through the sustained delivery of paclitaxel and infection-triggered release of antibacterial hexanal.
Furthermore, this design principle is extended to the self-assembly of 2D polymer nanodiscs using AB-type amphiphilic bottlebrush block copolymers. These amorphous nanostructures offer high surface-area-to-volume ratios and tunable degradation rates, presenting a superior and more functional alternative to conventional micellar carriers for next-generation drug delivery.
Furthermore, this design principle is extended to the self-assembly of 2D polymer nanodiscs using AB-type amphiphilic bottlebrush block copolymers. These amorphous nanostructures offer high surface-area-to-volume ratios and tunable degradation rates, presenting a superior and more functional alternative to conventional micellar carriers for next-generation drug delivery.
