One-Pot Synthetic Strategy to Core Cross-Linked Micelles with pH-Sensitive Cross-Linked Cores and Temperature-Sensitive Shells through RAFT Polymerization

Functional micelles with a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) shell and a cross-linked poly((acrylic acid)-co-(ethylene glycol diacrylate)) core have been successfully prepared in one pot by the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of acrylic acid and ethylene glycol diacrylate in selective solvent using PNIPAM-SC(S)Ph as a RAFT agent. Since PNIPAM and poly(acrylic acid) are temperature- and pH-sensitive polymers, respectively, the micelles obtained should display double environmental sensitivity to temperature and pH in water.