Double-responsive core-shell-corona micelles from self-assembly of diblock copolymer of poly(t-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

Self-assembly of poly(t-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [P(tBA-co-AA)-b-PNIPAM], which was obtained from part hydrolysis of PtBA-b-PNIPAM synthesized by sequential atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was studied. Thermo- and pH-responsive core-shell-corona (CSC) micelles with different structures were formed from (PtBA-co-PAA)-b-PNIPAM in aqueous solution. At pH 5.8 and 25 °C, the block copolymer self-assembled into spherical core-shell micelles with hydrophobic PtBA segments as the core, hydrophilic PAA/PNIPAM segments as the mixed shell. Increasing temperatures, core-shell micelles converted into CSC micelles with PtBA as the core, collapsed PNIPAM as the shell and soluble PAA as the corona. Moreover, decreasing pH at 25 °C, PAA chains collapsed onto the core resulting in CSC micelles with PtBA as the core, PAA as the shell and PNIPAM as the corona.     

Preparation of hydrogel nanoparticles by atom transfer radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide in aqueous media using PEG macro-initiator

PEG-b-PNIPAM block copolymers are synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization of NIPAM using PEG macro-initiator. When the polymerization temperature is 25 °C, the block copolymer is soluble in water, whereas the block copolymer is phase-separated to form micelles during polymerization as the polymerization temperature is raised to 50 °C, the temperature above the LCST of PEG-b-PNIPAM. To prepare stable hydrogel nanoparticles in water at room temperature, a small amount of N,N′-ethylenebisacrylamide is added as a cross-linker to the reaction system, where the size of nanoparticles is controlled by the composition of mixed solvent.     

Amphiphilic ethyl cellulose brush polymers with mono and dual side chains: Facile synthesis,self-assembly,and tunable temperature-pH responsivities

Novel amphiphilic ethyl cellulose (EC) brush polymers with mono and dual side chains of poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate)-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA)) and poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) were synthesized by the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click chemistry. The molar ratio of P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) and PDMAEMA was varied through changing the feed ratio of these polymers and the coupling efficiency of click chemistry is relatively high. The brush polymers can self-assemble into spherical micelles/aggregates. The micelles/aggregates show the tunable temperature-pH responsive properties. The cloud points and the pH-triggered phase transition were influenced by EC chains and the ratio of P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) and PDMAEMA side chains. The brush polymers have the great potential applications as biomedical or intelligent materials.     

Synthesis of novel temperature responsive PEG-b-[PCL-g-P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA)]-b-PEG (tBG) triblock-graft copolymers and preparation of tBG/graphene oxide composite hydrogels via click chemistry

Novel triblock-graft copolymers, poly ethylene glycol-b-[poly(ε-caprolactone)-g-poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate)]-b-poly ethylene glycol (PEG-b-[PCL-g-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA)]-b-PEG) (tBG), were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In the synthesis process, temperature responsive P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) chains were grafted onto the PCL block of triblock copolymer PEG-b-PCL-b-PEG to improve its hydrophilicity. This method succeeded in increasing the solubility of PEG-b-PCL-b-PEG in water, and more importantly, endowing PEG-b-PCL-b-PEG with temperature sensitivity. By adjusting the feed ratio of 2-(2-methoxy ethoxy) ethyl methacrylate (MEO₂MA) and oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA) monomers, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the tBG can be realized at about 37 °C. Taking advantage of the excellent mechanical property of graphene sheets, alkyne-functionalized graphene oxide (alkyne-GO) was introduced to cross-link tBGs and prepare tBG/GO composite hydrogel through click reaction between tBG-N₃ and alkyne-GO. Different from traditional cross-linkers, alkyne-GO acts as reinforcing filler in the composite hydrogel. Benefiting from superior properties of PCL, PEG, P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) and GO, the as-prepared temperature responsive tBG/GO hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical strength and toughness, demonstrating future potential applications in tissue engineering and biotechnology fields.     

Preparation of core cross-linked micelles using a photo-cross-linking agent

A new method for preparing polymeric, core cross-linked (CCL) micelles has been developed using a bifunctional photo-cross-linking agent of di(4-hydroxyl benzophenone) dodecanedioate (BPD). An amphiphilic diblock copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (PEG-b-P(HEMA-co-MMA)) was synthesized via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a PEG macroinitiator at 85 °C. The core domains of the PEG-b-P(HEMA-co-MMA) micelles containing BPD in aqueous solution were successfully photo-cross-linked by UV irradiation for only 30 min. The HEMA units incorporated in the hydrophobic block of PEG-b-P(HEMA-co-MMA) donated labile hydrogens to excited-state BP groups in BPD, and they were subsequently cross-linked by BPD through radical-radical combination. A sufficient degree of cross-linking was obtained at an equivalent ratio of the BP groups to the HEMA units.     

Photophysical properties and self-assembly of triblock copolymer with complexes of positively charged PDMAEMA and oppositely charged chromophores

The self-assembly and photophysical properties of a triblock copolymer with complex mid-block in THF and aqueous solution were investigated in this research. Poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate)-block- poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMA–b–PDMAEMA–b–PPEGMA) triblock copolymer was synthesized by subsequent atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) of DMAEMA and PEGMA. The PDMAEMA blocks were quaternized by a reaction with iodomethane. The complex of the positively charged PDMAEMA chain unit and sodium salt of 1-pyrenebutyric acid was prepared by mixing equimolar amount of the two components in THF/water mixture. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence technique results show that the triblock copolymer chains self-assemble into micelles in THF at high concentration. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of the triblock copolymer in THF determined by fluorescence technique is 6.8 × 10^?5 M. The triblock copolymer was also able to self-assemble into micelles in water. The value of CAC of the triblock copolymer in water is 2.0 × 10^?5 M. The photophysical properties and self-assembly structures of the triblock copolymer in aqueous solutions were influenced by added sodium chloride. After salt addition, a transition of the assembled structures from micelles to hollow structures was observed.     

Synthesis of pH‐ and temperature‐responsive chitosan‐graft‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] copolymer and gold nanoparticle stabilization by its micelles

Novel pH‐ and temperature‐responsive chitosan‐graft‐poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (chitosan‐g‐PDMAEMA) copolymers were successfully synthesized by homogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) under mild conditions. Chitosan macroinitiator was prepared by phthaloylation of amino groups of chitosan and subsequent acylation of hydroxyl groups of chitosan with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. The copolymers were obtained by ATRP of 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and they can self‐assemble into stable micelles in water. Hybrid micelles with a PDMAEMA corona incorporating gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were prepared in situ via the reduction of HAuCl₄ with NaBH₄. The pH and temperature responses of the copolymer micelles and hybrid micelles were characterized using UV‐visible spectroscopy and dynamic laser light scattering. The morphology of the micelles was observed using transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The PDMAEMA corona of the micelles acts as the ‘nanoreactor’ and the ‘anchor’ for the in situ formation and stabilization of Au NPs. Therefore, the spatial distribution of Au NPs within the micelles can be tuned by varying the temperature and pH value. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Supramolecular self-assembly through inclusion complex formation between poly(ethylene oxide-b-N-isopropylacrylamide) block copolymer and α-cyclodextrin

A well-defined poly(ethylene oxide-block-N-isopropylacrylamide) (PEO-b-PNIPAM) diblock copolymer was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization and formed the inclusion complexes (ICs) after selective threading of the PEO segment of the block copolymer through the cavities of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) units. The formation of the α-CD/PEO ICs between α-CD and PEO segment of the PEO-b-PNIPAM transformed the system from its original random coil conformation into a rod/coil-like structure. The stacking of the α-CD/PEO ICs and phase separation within the α-CD/PEO-b-PNIPAM IC resulted in the self-assembly of long-range-ordered lamellar structure exhibiting alternating layers of (i) α-CD/PEO ICs with hexagonally packed plates and (ii) amorphous phase of unincluded PEO/PNIPAM with brush conformation.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly (l-lactide)-b-poly(l-glutamic acid) triblock copolymer

A biodegradable amphiphilic triblock copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l-lactide)-b-poly(l-glutamic acid) (PEG-b-PLLA-b-PLGA) was obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l-lactide)-b-poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamic acid) (PEG-b-PLLA-b-PBLGA) synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-carboxyanhydride of γ-benzyl-l-glutamate (BLG-NCA) with amino-terminated MPEG-b-PLLA-NH₂ as a macroinitiator. MPEG-b-PLLA-NH₂ converted from MPEG-b-PLLA-OH first reacted with tert-Butoxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanine (Phe-^NBOC) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and then deprotected the tert-butoxycarbonyl group. MPEG-b-PLLA-OH was prepared by ROP of l-lactide with monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) in the presence of stannous octoate. The triblock copolymer and its diblock precursors were characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR, GPC and DSA (drop shape analysis) measurements. The lengths of each block polymers could be tailored by molecular design and the ratios of feeding monomers. The triblock polymer PEG-b-PLLA-b-PLGA containing carboxyl groups showed obviously improved hydrophilic properties and could be a good potential candidate as a drug delivery carrier.     

Preparation of pH-sensitive CaP nanoparticles coated with a phosphate-based block copolymer for efficient gene delivery

We have synthesized a phosphate-based block copolymer, PEG-b-PMOEP (poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate)), with a narrow molecular weight distribution (PD = 1.06) by atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and have constructed calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs) coated with the block copolymer as an efficient and safe intracellular gene delivery carrier. The phosphate-mimic PMOEP block could be incorporated into the calcium phosphate (CaP) core to entrap pDNA, with the PEG block forming a shell to prevent uncontrolled growth of CaP precipitates and aggregates in physiological fluids. The CaPNs showed high colloidal stability at pH 7.4, but released entrapped pDNA at an endosomal pH of 5.0 through a pH-dependent protonation of phosphate moieties for efficient endosomal escape. The PEG-b-PMOEP/CaP/pDNA nanoparticles, which were formed simply by mixing, exhibited great potential as gene delivery carriers for future gene therapy applications due to their high transfection efficiency, low toxicity, and good stability under physiological conditions.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic triblock copolymers and application for morphology control of calcium carbonate crystals

A series of amphiphilic triblock copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PEG-b-PAA-b-PnBA) differing only in the relative block lengths were synthesized by the acid-catalyzed elimination of the tert-butyl groups from poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PEG-b-PtBA-b-PnBA), which was synthesized by atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The degree of polymerization, molecular weight and percentage of hydrolysis of the product PEG-b-PAA-b-PnBA were studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), NMR and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF-MS). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the aggregation states of copolymers in water solution. The radii of the copolymer micelles shrink as Ca²⁺ is introduced into the solutions. The crystallization behaviors of calcium carbonate controlled by copolymer 1 (PEG₁₁₂-b-PAA₈₆-b-PnBA₆₀) and copolymer 2 (PEG₁₁₂-b-PAA₄₀-b-PnBA₇₂) differing mainly in the length of PAA block were systematically studied. It was found that the crystallization products are composed of calcite and vaterite, and the ratio of vaterite to calcite increases with increasing the concentration of copolymer 1. For copolymer 2, however, only calcite is obtained at all the concentration range investigated in this work.     

Synthesis of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) and poly(acrylic acid) block copolymers via post-functionalization of poly(N-methacryloxysuccinimide)

Polymers exhibiting a thermoresponsive, lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase transition have proven to be useful for many applications as “smart” or “intelligent” materials. A series of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) polymer, poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PNIPMAM-b-PAA) diblock, and poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PAA-b-PNIPMAM-b-AA) triblock copolymer samples were synthesized via ATRP. A facile post-functionalization route was developed that uses an activated ester functionality to convert poly(N-methacryloxysuccinimide) (PMASI) blocks to LCST capable polyacrylamide, while poly(t-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) blocks were converted to water-soluble poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The post-functionalization was monitored via ¹H NMR and ATR-FTIR. The aqueous solution properties were explored and the PNIPMAM polymers were shown to have a LCST phase transition varying from 35 to 60 °C. The ability to synthesize block copolymers that are thermoresponsive and water-soluble will be of great benefit for broader applications in drug delivery, bioengineering, and nanotechnology.     

Synthesis of PAA-g-PNIPAM well-defined graft polymer by sequential RAFT and SET-LRP and its application in preparing size-controlled super-paramagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a stabilizer

A series of well-defined double hydrophilic graft copolymers, poly(acrylic acid)-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PAA-g-PNIPAM), was employed as a novel water-soluble coating for constructing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The copolymer was synthesized via a three-step procedure: firstly, a well-defined hydrophobic PtBA-based backbone, poly(tert-butyl 2-((2-chloropropanoyloxy)-methyl)acrylate)-co-poly(tert-butyl acrylate), (PtBCPMA₁₉-co-PtBA₁₈), was prepared through RAFT copolymerization of a new trifunctional acrylic monomer, tert-butyl 2-((2-chloropropanoyloxy)methyl)acrylate and tert-butyl acrylate; secondly, taking this backbone as a macroinitiator to initiate SET-LRP of N-isopropylacrylamide resulted in well-defined (poly(tert-butyl 2-((2-chloropropanoyloxy)methyl)-acrylate)-co-poly(tert-butyl acrylate))-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) ((PtBCPMA-co-PtBA)-g-PNIPAM) amphiphilic graft copolymers with relatively narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ≤ 1.31); thirdly, handling (PtBCPMA-co-PtBA)-g-PNIPAM in acidic conditions afforded PAA-g-PNIPAM graft copolymers. The resulting PAA-g-PNIPAM copolymers were directly utilized as a polymeric stabilizer in the preparation of superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The particle size can be readily tuned in the range of 12.1–23.2 nm by varying the amount of PAA-g-PNIPAM copolymer or the length of PNIPAM side chain. Besides, the structure and properties of prepared Fe₃O₄/polymer nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TGA, TEM, and magnetic measurement in detail.     

Synthesis of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene triblock copolymers by two-step atom transfer radical polymerization

The synthesis of ABC triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene (PEO-b-PMMA-b-PS) via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is reported. First, a PEO-Br macroinitiator was synthesized by esterification of PEO with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide, which was subsequently used in the preparation of halo-terminated poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PMMA) diblock copolymers under ATRP conditions. Then PEO-b-PMMA-b-PS triblock copolymer was synthesized by ATRP of styrene using PEO-b-PMMA as a macroinitiator. The structures and molecular characteristics of the PEO-b-PMMA-b-PS triblock copolymers were studied by FT-IR, GPC and ¹H NMR.     

Synthesis of linear tetrablock quaterpolymers via atom transfer radical polymerization and a click coupling approach

We report the synthesis of a well-defined linear tetrablock quaterpolymer of poly(butyl acrylate)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(methyl acrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) by combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and a click coupling approach. For this purpose, polystyrene-b-poly(butyl acrylate) (AB) was prepared by ATRP using macroinitiator as α-trimethylsilyl(TMS)-alkyne ω-bromo polystyrene. The α-(TMS) end of the AB diblock copolymer was deprotected using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in THF. The ω-azide end of the CD diblock copolymer was made from poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(methyl acrylate) (CD) via transformation of the bromine chain end by a simple nucleophilic substitution reaction with NaN₃ in DMF. Click coupling between the ω-azide end in CD diblock copolymer with the α-alkyne end in the AB diblock copolymer was then performed by Cu¹-catalyzed (3+2) cycloaddition. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of a linear ABCD tetrablock copolymer via ATRP and click coupling.     

Preparation of poly(butylene succinate)‐poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] copolymers and their applications as carriers for drug delivery

Copolymers of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]–poly(butylene succinate)–poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA–PBS–PDMAEMA, PDBD) were synthesized through a chain‐extension reaction. The thermal properties characterized using differential scanning calorimetry showed that the introduction of PDMAEMA chains slightly decreased the melting temperature of PBS. The water contact angle of PDBD copolymer films with media of various pH decreased with a decrease of pH. This should be ascribed to the conformational transition of PDMAEMA blocks from a compact coil to an expanding shape in accordance with the variation of the pH of the surroundings. The results of dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy revealed that PDBD copolymers could form spherical micelles with small particle size and narrow particle size distribution. Furthermore, drug loading (loading content, ca 10%; encapsulation efficiency, ca 60%) and release experiments were conducted using doxorubicin as a hydrophobic model drug. The results of release experiments of copolymer nanomicelles showed that these micelles had pH‐responsive properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polymeric micelles based on photocleavable linkers tethered with a model drug

An amphiphilic block copolymer with photocleavable nitrobenzyl moieties in the side chain of the hydrophobic block was successfully synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and the Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azide and alkynes. 2-(Trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (HEMATMS) was polymerized from a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macroinitiator via ATRP, leading to a well-defined block copolymer of PEO₁₁₃-b-PHEMATMS₄₅ with low polydispersity index (PDI = 1.09). After the polymerization, trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups were deprotected and then functionalized in-situ with 3-azidopropionic chloride to yield PEO-b-[2-(1-azidobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PEO-b-PAzHEMA). Alkyne-functionalized pyrene with a photocleavable 2-nitrobenzyl moiety was added to the PEO-b-PAzHEMA backbone via click chemistry to produce the desired block copolymer with high fidelity. The resulting block copolymer was self-assembled in water to yield spherical micelles with an average diameter of 60 nm. Upon UV irradiation, 2-nitrobenzyl moieties were selectively cleaved, leading to the release of a model drug, 1-pyrenebutyric acid. Coumarin 102, another model drug that was physically encapsulated in the core of micelles during micellization in water, was also released at the same time. The general strategy presented herein can potentially be utilized for the preparation of polymeric vehicles that are capable of delivering multiple therapeutics under controlled individual release kinetics.     

Doubly thermo-responsive brush-linear diblock copolymers and formation of core-shell-corona micelles

Doubly thermo-responsive brush-linear diblock copolymer of poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether vinylphenyl]-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PmPEGV-b-PNIPAM) is prepared by RAFT polymerization. The obtained brush-linear diblock copolymer exhibits two lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) corresponding to the linear poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) block and the brush poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether vinylphenyl] (PmPEGV) block in water. This brush-linear diblock copolymer undergoes a two-step temperature sensitive micellization. At temperature above the first LCST, the brush-linear diblock copolymer self-assembles into core-corona micelles with the dehydrated PNIPAM block forming the core and the solvated brush PmPEGV block forming the corona. When temperature increases above the second LCST, the polystyrene backbone in the brush PmPEGV block collapses onto the dehydrated PNIPAM core to form core-shell-corona micelles, in which the dehydrated PNIPAM block forms the core, the collapsed polystyrene backbone in the brush PmPEGV block forms the shell and the solvated poly(ethylene glycol) side-chains forms the corona. The effect of the length of the PNIPAM block and the length of the poly(ethylene glycol) side-chains on the thermo-responsive micellization and the size of core-shell-corona micelles is investigated.     

Effect of vortex-induced physical stress on fluorescent properties of dye-containing poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic acid) micelles

The effect of vortex-induced mechanical stresses on the fluorescent properties of dye-containing poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA) block copolymer micelles has been investigated. PEG-b-PLA block copolymer micelles containing fluorescent dyes, 3,3′-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiO) and/or 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI), are prepared by a simple one-step procedure that involves the self-assembly of block copolymers and spontaneous incorporation of hydrophobic dyes into the core of the micelles. Upon vortexing, the micelle dispersion samples showed a decrease in fluorescence intensity in a rotational speed- and time-dependent manner. The results demonstrated that the vortexing can alter the fluorescent properties of the dye-containing PEG-b-PLA block copolymer micelle dispersion samples, suggesting the potential utility of block copolymer micelles as a mechanical stress-responsive nanomaterial.     

A novel amphiphilic AB2 star copolymer synthesized by the combination of ring-opening metathesis polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization

A new amphiphilic AB₂ star copolymer was synthesized by the combination of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Two different routes (methods A and B) were employed firstly to prepare the poly(oxanorbornene)-based monotelechelic polymers as the hydrophobic arm bearing dibromo-ended group via ROMP in the presence of two different terminating agents catalyzed by first generation Grubbs catalyst. The values of capping efficiency (CE) of the polymers were determined by NMR, which were 94% and 67% for methods A and B, respectively. Then, the dibromo-ended ROMP polymers were used as the macroinitiators for ATRP of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) to produce two hydrophilic arms. The prepared amphiphilic AB₂ star copolymers poly(7-oxanorborn-5-ene-exo,exo-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester)-block-bis[poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)] (PONBDM_n-b-(PDMAEMA_m)₂) with a fixed chain length of hydrophobic PONBDM and various hydrophilic PDMAEMA chain lengths can self-assemble spontaneously in water to form polymeric micelles, which were characterized by dynamic light scattering, atom force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy measurements.