ACS Macro Letters · 2018 · 78 citations · 34 references
Natural SciencesChemistryMaterials ScienceNanomaterialsNanotechnologyPolymer ChemistryNanoparticle SynthesisPolymeric NanomaterialsPolymeric NanoparticlesPolymerization ChemistryPolymerization KineticsSelf-assemblyMetathesis PolymerizationMild Reaction ConditionsPhase Diagram ConstructionPolymer Nanoparticle SynthesisPolymer NanoparticlesPolymer Self-assemblyPolymerization-induced Self-assemblyRing-opening Metathesis Polymerization
We report aqueous-phase Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (ROMPISA) for forming well-defined micellar polymer nanoparticles at room temperature and high solids concentration (20 w/w%). This is achieved with a new polymerization initiator, in the form of a water-soluble cationic Hoveyda-Grubbs second generation catalyst. This reaction was used in water to produce diblock copolymers from norbornenyl monomers, which then self-assemble into myriad nanostructure morphologies for which a phase diagram was constructed. Additionally, the living nature of the polymerization initiated by the aqueous initiator was confirmed, as shown by kinetic evaluation under mild conditions in water.
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