Nonsolvents-induced swelling of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles

Abstract

Polymer nanoparticles have been used in a wide variety of applications. In most of these applications, they are generally dispersed in a non-solvent. However, the effect of the non-solvent on the structure, physical properties and function of the nanoparticles has not yet ever taken into account. In this study, monodispersed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles were prepared by a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. The PMMA nanoparticles were dispersed in water and in methanol, both typical non-solvents for PMMA, so that we could discuss the effect of the non-solvent on the nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed that the hydrodynamic radius of the PMMA nanoparticles in methanol was larger than the same PMMA dispersed in water. Their DLS values were also larger than the radius of the nanoparticles measured by atomic force microscopy. When pyrene was dispersed in methanol with the PMMA nanoparticles, it was incorporated into the nanoparticles. These results clearly indicate that non-solvent molecules can be sorbed into polymer nanoparticles because the area of the interface, where polymer segments might be dissolved into liquid phases, as the total volume is quite larger for such nanoparticles. Therefore, based on our findings, it can be arguably established that the present assumption for a polymer not to be swollen in its non-solvent is not necessarily true.

Imposing Biaxial Strain on 2d Layered Materials by Liquid-Induced Swelling of Supporting Polymer

“…A polymer substrate swelled with diffusing fluids can also impose strain on the material. In the present work, we show polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) swelled by methanol [6][7][8] inducing large deformation in selected 2D material resting on top of it. The strain-dependent change in electronic band structure were detected through the respective characteristic peak shifts in the Raman and photoluminescence spectra (PL) graphene and TMDC flakes [9,10].…”

Dynamic structure and functionalization of polymer interfaces

“…The interface of PMMA with water is diffuse in comparison with the pristine surface because a part of the segments is dissolved in the water phase and a swollen layer induced by the penetration of water exists beneath it. 26,27 The segmental mobility of PMMA at the interface is enhanced by the plasticizing effect of the sorbed water molecules. 28 This enhanced mobility of the polymer chains facilitates surface reorganization.…”

Preparation and Biocompatibility of Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA)-Mesoporous Bioactive Glass (MBG) Composite Scaffolds

“…To date, polymers have been the material of choice in the field of tissue engineering. PMMA acrylic bone cement has been widely used to repair or replace joints [ 9 ] and is used in a variety of medicinal and dentistry applications [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Polymers are extensively used in in-vivo and in-vitro biomedical applications due to their aesthetic, injecting molding ability [ 14 ].…”