Particle growth behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles synthesized by the reversible addition fragmentation transfer living radical polymerization reaction

Abstract

PMMA nanoparticles with highly mono-dispersed size distribution were prepared using the RAFT living radical emulsion polymerization technique. A novel suriniferter for the RAFT reaction, DTBA, was synthesized and its chemical structure was identified using several spectroscopic techniques. The relationship between the particle size and the molecular weight of the polymer was investigated measuring the rate of growth of each during formation of particles, and was well explained by the simple random flight molecular conformation model. The particle size increased up to a certain value with decreasing sur-iniferter concentration and then leveled off, because the surface charge density of the growing particles was not high enough to stabilize the particles in aqueous medium above that value. The core-shell type di-block copolymer nanoparticles were also successfully prepared via RAFT reaction.

Surfactant-Free, Controlled/Living Radical Emulsion Polymerization in Batch Conditions Using a Low Molar Mass, Surface-Active Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT) Agent

“…Using this concept, Kwak et al 29 described for the first time the synthesis of monofunctional carboxylated poly(methyl methacrylate) using a surface-active iniferter, 4-diethylthiocarbamoylsulfanylmethylbenzoic acid. Kim employed the same molecule for the emulsion polymerization of styrene, 30 of methyl methacrylate 31 and the formation of core-shell particles. The reactive surfactant has the advantage of being covalently bound to the polymer chain, which is beneficial for most of the applications, as it reduces migration.…”

Uniform star‐polystyrene nanoparticles prepared by emulsion atom transfer radical polymerization

“…The syntheses of well‐defined star polymers with several arms via the ATRP approach have been reported in a number of papers 23–28. In particular, in recent years many reports have demonstrated that CRP can be applied to emulsion systems,29 which afford a ready access to obtain polymer particles with controlled compositions, architectures and functionalities 30–32. As a representative example of CRP, ATRP can be conducted in emulsion systems when the appropriate surfactant and ligand are employed 33–38.…”

Preparation of monodisperse nanoparticles containing poly(propylene imine)(NH2)32‐polystyrene

“…Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) processes have been proven to be versatile for the synthesis of polymers with well‐defined structures and complex architectures. In recent years, many reports have demonstrated that CRP is able to be applied to emulsion systems,40 which afford a facile access to obtain polymer particles with controlled compositions, architectures and functionalities 41–43. As a representative example of CRP, ATRP can be conducted in emulsion systems, when the appropriate surfactant and ligand are used 44–49…”