Preparation of Redox-Sensitive Shell Cross-Linked Nanoparticles for Controlled Release of Bioactive Agents

Redox-sensitive shell cross-linked (SCL) poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)- block -polystyrene (PDMAEMA- b -PS) nanoparticles have been facilely fabricated by surfactant-free emulsion reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (SFE-RAFT), in which amphiphilic C 12 H 25 –PDMAEMA copolymers acted as stabilizers. 1 H NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to investigate the compositions and the morphologies of the resultant nanoparticles. Then, the as-prepared nanoparticles were used as a carrier to encapsulate of hydrophobic drugs, and the release could be triggered by a redox reagent, dithiothreitol (DTT). The SCL nanoparticles had a good biocompatibility. These properties indicated that these nanoparticles would be used as promising drug delivery vehicles.