Synthesis of Fluorescent PMMA-Based Nanoparticles

The synthesis of PMMA-based nanoparticles (NPs) covalently labeled with a fluorescent dye is investigated for imaging applications such as cell uptake and biodistribution. Batch emulsion polymerization (BEP) and monomer-starved semi-batch emulsion polymerization (MSSEP) are adopted using SDS. Fluorescent properties are added to these NPs using Rhodamine-B (RhB) as a fluorescent dye covalently bonded to 2-hyroxyethyl-acrylate. The resulting HEMA-RhB monomer is copolymerized with MMA via BEP and MSSEP to synthesize fluorescent NPs. Subsequently, SDS is substituted with a biocompatible surfactant, Tween80, through ionic-exchange resins. -Potential measurements confirmed the complete surfactant exchange that leads to biocompatible fluorescent NPs with tunable size and narrow size distribution.