Poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)–Poly(benzyl methacrylate) Diblock Copolymer Nanoparticles via RAFT Emulsion Polymerization: Synthesis, Characterization, and Interfacial Activity

A poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) (PGMA) macromolecular chain transfer agent has been utilized to polymerize benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated aqueous emulsion polymerization. This formulation leads to the efficient formation of spherical diblock copolymer nanoparticles at up to 50% solids. The degree of polymerization (DP) of the core-forming PBzMA block has been systematically varied to control the mean particle diameter from 20 to 193 nm. Conversions of more than 99% were achieved for PGMA51–PBzMA250 within 6 h at 70 °C using macro-CTA/initiator molar ratios ranging from 3.0 to 10.0. DMF GPC analyses confirmed that relatively low polydispersities (Mw/Mn < 1.30) and high blocking efficiencies could be achieved. These spherical nanoparticles are stable to both freeze–thaw cycles and the presence of added salt (up to 0.25 M MgSO4). Three sets of PGMA51–PBzMAx spherical nanoparticles have been used to prepare stable Pickering emulsions at variou...