Metal assisted self-assembled rod like nanostructures for effective cellular internalization

Abstract

Well-designed polymeric self-assembled materials are in high demand because of the search for better alternates to the conventional system. Nano-structure that is self-assembly, driven by different forces related to synthetic polymers follows different uptake kinetics at the cellular level. Herein we designed a norbornene-functionalized based amphiphilic homopolymer that represents a unique self-assembled nanostructure in polar solvent. The self-assembled nanoaggregate was scrutinized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The vesicular nanoaggregates of the homopolymer changed their shape to nanorods in the presence of Fe(II) in polar medium. The self-assembled nanorods we reutilized for doxorubicin and showed the higher uptake than the vesicular structure loaded with the drug in the absence of Fe(II). This unique system can be utilized as a better nanovehicle for drug delivery.