Formation of nanostructured materials via coalescence of amphiphilic hollow particles.
A new, simplified route to amphiphilic core-shell nanotubes, microfibers, and microrods has been developed that does not involve the traditional utilization of well-defined block copolymers. Thus, amphiphilic graft copolymers (PEI-g-PMMA) are prepared by an aqueous free radical polymerization that self-assemble in situ to form uniform core-shell nanoparticles. The hydrophobic homopolymer (PMMA) that is also formed is incorporated in the cores. Slight cross-linking of the shells followed by extraction of the homopolymer results in hollow nanoparticles that coalesce to form nanotubes. When the shells are not cross-linked, the hollow particles coalesce to form microrods and microfibers. The sizes and shapes of the micromaterials can be controlled by varying the experimental conditions.
Maurice Morton Institute and Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3909, USA.
Panya
P
Sunintaboon
Kin Man
KM
Ho
Pei
P
Li
Stephen Z D
SZ
Cheng
Frank W
FW
Harris