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Poly( L ‐lactide) Nanoparticles via Ring‐Opening Polymerization in Non‐aqueous Emulsion
Author(s) -
Dorresteijn Robert,
Haschick Robert,
Klapper Markus,
Müllen Klaus
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200345
Subject(s) - lactide , polymer chemistry , cyclohexane , polymerization , ring opening polymerization , copolymer , emulsion polymerization , emulsion , aqueous solution , nanoparticle , materials science , chemistry , polymer , organic chemistry , nanotechnology
The preparation of poly( L ‐lactide) nanoparticles via ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide is conducted in non‐aqueous emulsion. In this process, acetonitrile is dispersed in either cyclohexane or n ‐hexane as the continuous phase and stabilized by a PI‐ b ‐PEO, respectively, a PI‐ b ‐PS copolymer as emulsifier. The air and moisture sensitive N ‐heterocyclic carbene 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐2‐ididazolidinylidene (SIMes) catalyzes the polymerization of L ‐lactide at ambient temperatures. Spherical poly( L ‐lactide) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 70 nm and a tunable molecular weight are generated. Hence, the non‐aqueous emulsion technique demonstrates its good applicability toward the generation of well‐defined poly( L ‐lactide) nanoparticles under very mild conditions.