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Abstract
Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization has become widely recognized as a versatile and efficient strategy to prepare complex block copolymer nanoparticles with controlled morphology, size, and surface functionality. In this article, we report the preparation of cationic sterically-stabilized poly(2-vinylpyridine)-poly(benzyl methacrylate) (P2VP-PBzMA) diblock copolymer nanoparticles via RAFT-mediated PISA under aqueous emulsion polymerization conditions. It is demonstrated that the solution pH during PISA has a dramatic effect on resulting P2VP-PBzMA nanoparticles, as judged by dynamic light scattering (DLS), disc centrifuge photosedimentometry (DCP) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Varying the solution pH results in the P2VP stabilizer having different solubilities due to protonation/deprotonation of the pyridine groups. This allows P2VP-PBzMA nanoparticles with tunable diameters to be prepared by altering the DP of the stabilizer (P2VP) and/or core-forming block (PBzMA), or simply by changing the solution pH for a fixed copolymer composition. For example, P2VP-PBzMA nanoparticles with larger diameters can be obtained at higher solution pH as the protonation degree of the P2VP stabilizer has a large effect on both the aggregation of polymer chains during the PISA process, and the resulting behavior of the diblock copolymer nanoparticles. Changing the dispersion pH post-polymerization has a relatively limited effect on particle diameter. Furthermore, aqueous electrophoresis studies indicate that these P2VP-PBzMA nanoparticles had good colloidal stability and high cationic charge (> 30 mV) below pH 5 and can be dispersed readily over a wide pH range.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1385-1394 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Soft Matter |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 7 |
Early online date | 24 Jan 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Feb 2022 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Pyridine-functional diblock copolymer nanoparticles synthesized via RAFT-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly: effect of solution pH'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
- 2 Invited talk
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Stimuli-responsive soft materials from polymerisation-induced self-assembly derived nanoparticles
Fielding, L. (Invited speaker)
9 Dec 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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Investigating the preparation of sterically-stabilised latexes and polymer/graphene oxide nanocomposite particles
Fielding, L. (Speaker)
3 Sept 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research