Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Nanoaggregates for Drug Delivery Applications

Abstract Owing to the increasing interest, the present review describes the advances in the self-assembly of amphiphilic as well as stimuli-responsive block copolymers. We briefly focus on the classification, synthesis process, and aqueous solution behavior of block copolymers. Advances in controlled radical polymerization in making tailor-made copolymers with different structures/types/monomers have enabled the fine-tuning of nanoscale aggregates to act as vehicles in controlled drug delivery systems. A transitory account on the formation, characterization, and features of the nanoscale micellar aggregates (polymer micelles, polymersomes, and polyelectrolyte complex micelles) in aqueous media is presented with various characterization approaches covering several schematic illustrations. This comprehensive review highlights the advances in stimuli-responsive double hydrophilic block copolymers in terms of their self-assembly and structural stability. We have also elaborated on the emerging case studies of the commercially available ethylene oxide–propylene oxide (EO–PO)-based block copolymeric surfactants from the viewpoint of their aqueous solution behavior and core–shell micelles for drug delivery applications combined with the discussion on the challenges and future perspectives of these amphiphiles.