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Well-Defined Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Nanoobjects via Nitroxide-Mediated Emulsion Polymerization.
Emilie Groison1, Ségolène Brusseau1,2, Franck D'Agosto1
1Université de Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5265, Laboratoire de Chimie Catalyse Polymères et Procédés (C2P2), Equipe LCPP, Bat 308F, 43 Bd du 11 novembre 1918, 69616 Villeurbanne, France.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 17, 2022
Summary
Water-soluble macroalkoxyamines initiate nitroxide-mediated emulsion polymerization, creating self-assembling amphiphilic block copolymers. These form nanoparticles like micelles, nanofibers, and vesicles, with nanofibers significantly impacting dispersion properties.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) enables controlled synthesis of polymers.
- Emulsion polymerization offers scalable production of polymer nanoparticles.
- Designing amphiphilic block copolymers is key for self-assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate water-soluble macroalkoxyamines as initiators for NMP in emulsion polymerization.
- To synthesize amphiphilic block copolymers and study their self-assembly into nanoobjects.
- To explore the influence of hydrophobic block molar mass on nanoparticle morphology.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing water-soluble macroalkoxyamines as initiators.
- Performing nitroxide-mediated emulsion polymerization.
- Characterizing self-assembled nanoobjects (micelles, nanofibers, vesicles) via morphology studies.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers using the specified initiators.
- Demonstrated polymerization-induced micellization leading to well-defined nanoobject morphologies.
- Observed formation of spherical micelles, nanofibers, and vesicles dependent on hydrophobic block length.
- Highlighted nanofibers as a particularly significant structure affecting dispersion properties.
Conclusions:
- Water-soluble macroalkoxyamines are effective initiators for NMP in emulsion polymerization.
- Amphiphilic block copolymers self-assemble into diverse nanoobjects, controlled by molar mass.
- The unique properties of the formed nanofibers warrant further investigation for applications.
