Synthesis of sodium-polystyrenesulfonate-grafted nanoparticles by core-cross-linking of block copolymer micelles

Sodium poly(styrenesulfonate)(polySSNa)-grafted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized by core-cross-linking of block copolymer micelles and subsequent chemical transformation. Block copolymers, poly(p-(n-methyl)silacyclobutyl)styrene-blockpoly(neopentyl p-styrenesulfonate)s, polySBS-b-polySSPen, were synthesized by nitroxy-mediated living radical polymerization. The block copolymers formed micelles (R-h=15-23 nm, where R-h represents the hydrodynamic radius) with a polySBS core and polySSPen shell in acetone. The micelle core was cross-linked by ring-opening polymerization of silacyclobutyl groups in polySBS. Hydrolysis of the neopentyl groups provided polySSNa-grafted nanoparticles. The Rh of the particles before the hydrolysis ranged from 12 to 21 nm in acetone, while they varied to the range from 50 to I 10 nm in water after the hydrolysis. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.