Novel Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Method to Yield Copper-Free Block Copolymeric Biomaterials

A new catalyst is reported for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) for the synthesis of copper-free poly(2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PDEAEM)-based pentablock copolymeric biomaterials that have been shown to be effective gene delivery vectors. Biocompatibility is an increasing concern with growing applications for functional polymers with potential applications in drug and gene delivery, because of the residual soluble copper salts used as catalysts. The reported ATRP synthesis method utilizes novel copper(I) oxide nanoparticles as catalysts that can be easily removed after polymerization, with X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) showing no residual copper in the final product.