Synthesis and interfacial activity of PMMA/PtBMA Janus and homogeneous nanoparticles at water/oil interfaces

Polymethylmethacrylate/poly-tert-butylmethacrylate Janus nanoparticles were synthesized by the electrohydrodynamic co-jetting method. The Janus character of these nanoparticles was visualized through super-resolution imaging with Structured Illumination Microscopy. The Janus nanoparticles, and the corresponding homogeneous sets, were then morphologically characterized to assess their size, distribution, and concentrations. All nanoparticles presented high interfacial activity as measured by pendant drop tensiometry at water/decane interfaces. At high concentrations and compression states, the Janus nanoparticles exhibited higher interfacial activity than the homogeneous nanoparticles. This is in agreement with theoretical and experimental works in which Janus nanoparticles present higher interfacial activity than homogeneous nanoparticles. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.