Synthesis of Core Functionalized Polymer Micelles and Shell Cross-Linked Nanoparticles

• Published in: Macromolecules Vol. 41; no. 9; pp. 2998 - 3006
• Main Authors: Ievins, Alexander D, Wang, Xiaofan, Moughton, Adam O, Skey, Jared, O’Reilly, Rachel K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 13-05-2008
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers with particular properties; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Terpolymer; 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition; Acetylenic compound; Nanoparticle; Metal ion; Styrene derivative copolymer; Butyl acrylate copolymer; Lateral group; Crosslinked copolymer; Pyridine derivative copolymer; Electrokinetic potential; Amphiphilic polymer; Catalyst support; Acrylic acid copolymer; Nitroxyl; Organic azide; Crosslinking; Copper complex; Experimental study; Complexes; Hydrolysis; Monodispersed polymer; Chemical modification; Morphology; Preparation; Diblock copolymer; Aqueous solution; Radical copolymerization; Micellar solution; Catalyst activity; Micellization; Styrene copolymer
• ISSN: 0024-9297; 1520-5835
• DOI: 10.1021/ma702702j

We present the synthesis of novel core reactive spherical polymeric micelles and nanoparticles using nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) techniques. These nanostructures have terpyridine functionality selectively located within their hydrophobic core domain and have been further modified by metal complexation (with Fe, Ru, and Cu) within this domain to afford novel metal functionalized polymer nanostructures. The hydrodynamic diameters (D h) of these micelles and hybrid nanoparticles were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), and the dimensions of the nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confirmation of the complexation was achieved using UV–vis analysis. The reactivity of the Cu-tethered metal complex within the nanostructures was investigated and was found to be an active catalyst for the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition “click” reaction of azido and alkynyl functionalized small molecules. This strategy provides a versatile synthetic route toward the selective incorporation of active sites within the core domain of a polymer nanoparticle.