We report the self-assembly of a biodegradable platinum nanoparticle-loaded stomatocyte nanomotor containing both PEG-b-PCL and PEG-b-PS as a potential candidate for anticancer drug delivery. Well-defined stomatocyte structures could be formed even after incorporation of 50% PEG-b-PCL polymer. Demixing of the two polymers was expected at high percentage of semicrystalline poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), resulting in PCL domain formation onto the membrane due to different properties of two polymers. The biodegradable motor system was further shown to move directionally with speeds up to 39 μm/s by converting chemical fuel, hydrogen peroxide, into mechanical motion as well as rapidly delivering the drug to the targeted cancer cell. Uptake by cancer cells and fast doxorubicin drug release was demonstrated during the degradation of the motor system. Such biodegradable nanomotors provide a convenient and efficient platform for the delivery and controlled release of therapeutic drugs.

In this review we summarise recent progress on the design, properties, and potential applications of ionic liquid-derived polyelectrolytes showing thermoresponsive phase behaviour after mixing with water or other organic solvents.

Poly(tetrabutylphosphonium 4-styrenesulfonate) was found to be a unique poly(ionic liquid) showing tunable lower critical solution temperatures in aqueous solution, depending on concentration and ionic strength. As this polymer also exhibits a very high stabilizing power for carbon nanostructures, one can readily synthesize an environment-sensitive graphene dispersion.