Direct Synthesis of Polymer Nanocapsules with a Noncovalently Tailorable Surface

Abstract

Hollow out your pumpkin: The direct synthesis of approximately 100-nm-diameter polymer nanocapsules was carried out in the absence of preorganized structures or templates. The method appears to be applicable to any monomer that has a flat core and multiple polymerizable groups at the periphery (see picture). The surface properties of the polymer shell, which comprises cucurbituril, can be easily tailored through host–guest chemistry.