title: Ultrasmall biocompatible nanocomposites: a new approach using seeded emulsion polymerization for the encapsulation of nanocrystals.
abstract: We report a novel approach of seeded emulsion polymerization in which nanocrystals are used as seeds. Ultrasmall biocompatible polymer-coated nanocrystal with sizes between 15 and 110 nm could be prepared in a process that avoids any treatment with high shear forces or ultrasonication. The number of nanocrystals per seed, the size of the seeds, and the shell thickness can be independently adjusted. Single encapsulated nanocrystals in ultrasmall nanobeads as well as clusters of nanocrystals can be obtained. Polysorbat-80 was used as surfactant. It consists of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains, giving the particles outstanding biofunctional characteristics such as a minimization of unspecific interactions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hauke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kloust
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pöselt
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kappen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidtke
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kornowski
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pauer
authors.forename: Hans-Ulrich
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weller
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D058105:Polymerization; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004655:Emulsions; D011136:Polysorbates; D013501:Surface-Active Agents