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Functionalization of Polymer Nanoparticles Formed by Microemulsion RAFT‐Mediated Polymerization
Author(s) -
Pascual Sagrario,
Urbani Carl N.,
Monteiro Michael J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
macromolecular reaction engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1862-8338
pISSN - 1862-832X
DOI - 10.1002/mren.200900058
Subject(s) - xanthate , nanoparticle , chain transfer , surface modification , polymer , copolymer , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , polymer chemistry , raft , polymerization , microemulsion , polystyrene , materials science , moiety , chemical engineering , emulsion polymerization , radical polymerization , chemistry , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , pulmonary surfactant , engineering
Abstract Polymer nanoparticles were prepared via a microemulsion RAFT polymerization using a xanthate chain transfer agent. The xanthate moiety at the polymer chain‐end preferentially resides at the polymer/water interface. This allows not only the formation of block copolymers to be synthesized in water but also further functionalization of the nanoparticle surface with other macromolecules. The synthesis of polystyrene latex nanoparticles by xanthate‐mediated microemulsion polymerization is described. The resulting nanoparticles had an average hydrodynamic diameter of 25 nm and a narrow particle size distribution, with PNIPAM being bound to the surface. Our novel method of functionalized polymer nanoparticles can be used for the coupling of important biomacromolecules.