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 C12H25–PDMAEMA copolymers acted as stabilizers. 1H 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.