Single-chain nanoparticle catalyzed polymerization toward composite nanoparticles

Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) as a confined space are promising to synthesize structured nanoparticles. We report a facile synthesis of SCNP colloidal initiators by loading reducing agents during the formation of the SCNPs and the application in redox free radical polymerization to achieve composite nanoparticles with tunable compositions and microstructures. The SCNP initiators could be large-scale achieved by electrostatic-mediated intramolecular crosslinking polymers by metallic complexation with protonated PVP at ambient temperature. The catalytic polymerization occurs inwardly under facile conditions to large scale fabricate composite nanoparticles with tunable microstructures from core-shell to tadpole-shapes. The facile approach could be extended to derive functional composite nanoparticles by loading desired materials such as paramagnetic Fe3O4, catalytic Pt, and enzymes.

Automated summary

Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) offer a confined space for synthesizing structured nanoparticles. We present a simple method for synthesizing SCNP colloidal initiators by loading reducing agents during SCNP formation, and their application in redox free radical polymerization to achieve composite nanoparticles with tunable compositions and microstructures. These initiators can be synthesized on a large-scale by electrostatic-mediated intramolecular crosslinking of polymers with protonated PVP at ambient temperature. Under facile conditions, catalytic polymerization occurs inwardly to fabricate composite nanoparticles with tunable microstructures, ranging from core-shell to tadpole shapes. This facile approach can be extended to derive functional composite nanoparticles by loading desired materials such as paramagnetic Fe3O4, catalytic Pt, and enzymes.