Facile One‐Step Synthesis of Monodisperse Micron‐Sized Latex Particles with Highly Carboxylated Surfaces

Abstract

A facile method for the aqueous synthesis of monodisperse and micronmeter-sized colloids with highly carboxylated surfaces is presented. The method is applied to three different monomers, styrene, methyl methacrylate, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, and illustrate tuning of the size and monodispersity in the reactions. High surface density of carboxylic acids of up to 10 COOH nm(-2) from potentiometric titrations, is achieved through copolymerization with itaconic acid. The versatility of this system is highlighted by creating highly fluorescent and monodisperse particles that can be index matched in aqueous solution and through surface modification via the carboxylic acid groups using standard amidation chemistry.

Colloid supported lipid bilayers for self-assembly

“…Silica spheres (Stöber method, Microparticles GmbH) −56 ± 6 yes yes Hematite cubic particles [31] +39 ± 5 no no Silica-coated hematite cubic particles [32] −32 ± 6 yes yes Polystyrene spheres (Sigma Aldrich) −38 ± 2 no no Polystyrene spheres with carboxyl groups [36] −43 ± 1 no no Silica-coated Polystyrene-TPM anisotropic particles [11] −33 ± 1 yes yes TPM spheres [34] −42 ± 1 yes no TPM spheres with carboxyl groups [35] −46 ± 1 no no TPM spheres with amino groups [35] −12 ± 4 no no Figure 2: Effect of surface roughness on lipid bilayer formation. Scanning electron microscopy images (SEM) images of A) a smooth and C) rough polystyrene-TPM particle coated with silica.…”

Temperature Controlled Sequential Gelation in Composite Microgel Suspensions

“…We use the monomers styrene, methyl methacrylate, and trifluoroethyl methacrylate to provide a range in refractive index and density. For example, the refractive index of cores prepared from trifluoroethyl methacrylate can be matched in aqueous mixtures of DMSO to yield transparent suspensions to be used in optical studies . Moreover, high loads of small molecular fluorescent dyes, dissolved in the monomer phase, can be directly embedded into the cores during synthesis, to aid visualization of the particles using confocal microscopy without influencing the interactions between the particles.…”

Synthesis of Sub‐100 nm Glycosylated Nanoparticles via a One Step, Free Radical, and Surfactant Free Emulsion Polymerization

“…A classic emulsion polymerization uses a surfactant, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, to provide nucleation sites for growing “z‐mer” polymer chains and particle stabilization. Without the addition of surfactant to the system, a “self‐nucleating” emulsion polymerization, which will produce both latex particles and linear hydrophilic polymer in solution, typically produces particles in the hundreds of nanometers to micrometer diameters . Latexes with particles under 100 nm in diameter are desirable however for applications such as drug delivery, to, for example, take advantage of the tumor targeting enhanced permeability and retention effect .…”

“…Without the addition of surfactant to the system, a "self-nucleating" emulsion polymerization, which will produce both latex particles and linear hydrophilic polymer in solution, typically produces particles in the hundreds of nanometers to micrometer diameters. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Latexes with particles under 100 nm in diameter are desirable however for applications such as drug delivery, to, for example, take advantage of the tumor targeting enhanced permeability and retention effect. [14][15][16] However, particles made using a surfactant must then be extensively dialyzed to remove the surfactant for use in applications such as drug delivery and photonics.…”