title: Thermally reversible formation of microspheres through non-covalent polymer cross-linking.
abstract: Bis-thymine units were used to noncovalently cross-link a complementary diamidopyridine-functionalized copolymer. Upon combination in noncompetitive solvents, discrete micron-scale spherical aggregates were formed arising from specific three-point polymer-cross-linker hydrogen bonding interactions. The diameter of these microspheres could be controlled through spacer structure. The cross-linking process was fully thermally reversible, with complete dissolution observed at 50 degrees C and reformation of the aggregates upon return to ambient temperature. This process could be repeated multiply, with lower particle dispersity observed arising from the annealing process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thibault
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hotchkiss
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Rotello