Application of Polymeric Nanocomposites Prepared via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization in Drug Delivery: A Brief Review

Recently, the use of controlled-radical polymerization methods for the preparation of various polymer materials has received much attention due to the advantages of these methods and the elimination of the disadvantages of radical polymerization. There are many methods for controlled-living radical polymerization, but in general the three main methods for controlled-living radical polymerization are nitric oxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). Among these methods, RAFT polymerization has attracted more attention due to its advantages over other methods used in the preparation of polymeric materials, including polymer nanocomposites. Nanocomposites are compounds obtained from a mixture of two or more different materials that are in the form of separate phases and at least one of their components has nanometer dimensions of less than 100 nm. The combination of high surface area in nanoparticles and different functional groups in the polymer can create unique properties in the nanocomposites. Due to these properties, polymer nanocomposites are widely used in various industries, including polymer catalysts, sensors, chemical adsorbents as well as drug delivery nanocarriers. In this article, the preparation of polymer nanocomposites based on various nanoparticles such as carbon, SiO2, Fe3O4, Au and MoS2 nanoparticles through RAFT polymerization and the effectiveness of these nanomaterials in drug delivery have been reviewed.