Dye loading of unimolecular, amphiphilic polymeric nanocontainers

Unimolecular, amphiphilic polymeric nanocontainers based on poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-polystyrene-polymacromonomers are dispersed in organic solvents and loaded with different hydrophilic dyes in solution. The poly-2-vinylpyridine core of the nanocontainers is responsible for the dye uptake, whereas the polystyrene corona grants the solubility and stabilization of the particles. The nanocontainers are 20–30 nm in diameter and possess an excellent ability to sequester dye molecules up to 116% (w/w) or 3.20 mmol/g.