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Gradient Polymerization–Induced Self‐Assembly: A One‐Step Approach
Author(s) -
Xu Sihao,
Zhang Tong,
Kuchel Rhian P.,
Yeow Jonathan,
Boyer Cyrille
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201900493
Subject(s) - copolymer , ethylene glycol , polymer chemistry , monomer , polymerization , nanoparticle , materials science , methacrylate , self assembly , aqueous solution , methyl methacrylate , polymer , chemistry , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract In this work, the authors report a novel single‐step, one‐pot process for the synthesis of self‐assembled nanoparticles using a polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) mechanism. In contrast to conventional approaches employing a pre‐formed macromolecular stabilizer, the disparate reactivities between two monomers, oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) and diacetone acrylamide (DAAm), are exploited instead to synthesize a gradient copolymer directly in aqueous solution. Due to the hydrophobicity of poly(DAAm), these gradient copolymers can self‐assemble in situ to form spheres and worms stabilized by the OEGMA residues. A surprisingly broad range of parameters are identified in which the worm morphology can be stabilized, which is highlighted by significant gelation of the reaction mixture in situ. This single‐step gradient copolymerization approach to PISA is more efficient than conventional two‐step syntheses. These results demonstrate improved reproducibility owing to the production of self‐assembled nanoparticles directly in a one‐pot and single‐step synthesis.