A facile approach to prepare hybrid nanoparticles with morphology controlled by the thickness of glyco-shell

Herein, we designed a novel amphiphilic triblock glycopolymer poly(oligo(ethyleneglycol) methacrylate)-block-poly(maltopyranoside methacrylate)-block-polystyrene (POMA-6-PMal-b-PS) via the combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and postpolymerization modification. The micelles with core-shell-corona structures were prepared by direct self-assembly of this glycopolymer in water. We found that these micelles can be used in in situ formation and stabilization of AuNPs. By controlling the thickness of glyco-shell, we successfully obtained Janus particles and raspberry-like particles with AuNPs in the sugar shell. (C) 2015 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.