Volume 217, Issue 20 pp. 2262-2274
Full Paper

Fluorinated POSS-Star Polymers for 19F MRI

Kewei Wang

Kewei Wang

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

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Hui Peng

Hui Peng

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

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Kristofer J. Thurecht

Kristofer J. Thurecht

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

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Andrew K. Whittaker

Corresponding Author

Andrew K. Whittaker

Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia

E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
First published: 06 May 2016
Citations: 22

Abstract

Star polymers with a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) core and eight partly fluorinated arms have been synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. A macroCTA having eight chain transfer agent (CTA) molecules attached to a POSS core is prepared and used for the synthesis of star polymers by the R-group approach. The arms are composed of statistical copolymers of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate. The polymerization kinetics are studied, and yield of star polymer is optimized. Star polymers having different arm lengths are prepared and characterized. The star polymers exhibit a single 19F resonance in 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectra in aqueous solution, and the T2 relaxation time increases with arm length. The relaxation properties and the fluorine content are consistent with these polymers being effective 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents. This work indicates that these POSS-star polymers have potential as theranostic agents for 19F MRI and drug delivery.

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