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Polyion complex (PIC) formation is one of the most powerful techniques for obtaining molecular self-assemblies in aqueous media, and useful for material syntheses particularly in the biomedical field. In this review article, recent progress on PIC vesicles (PICsomes) is summarized. PICsomes are characterized by their simple preparation, semipermeability and environment-sensitivity. Very recently, the methods to control structural uniformity and size of the vesicles have been established, and the potential utility of PICsomes has been expanded by crosslinking their PIC layers. In addition, the unique dynamic nature of PICs is also described.
The recent progress of research on polymer reactions utilizing dynamic covalent exchanges of alkoxyamine units—adducts of styryl and stable nitroxide radicals—is reviewed. Various types of macromolecular design, polymer reactions based on dynamic covalent exchanges of alkoxyamine units and their related research are described. Various examples of polymer reactions of main-chain-type, side-chain-type, crosslinked and star-shaped poly(alkoxyamine)s are systematically shown. The progress of the polymer reactions can be confirmed by diverse characterization techniques, such as spectroscopic, chromatographic, microscopic and scattering methods.
Isolated molecules of cyclic polymers were directly observed by atomic force microscopy. Interdiffusion of cyclic polystyrene/cyclic deuterated polystyrene bilayer films were investigated as functions of temperature and molecular weight by dynamic secondary ion mass spectroscopy.
