title: Polyfluorene polyelectrolyte nanoparticles: synthesis of innovative stabilizers for heterophase polymerization.
abstract: Polyfluorene-bearing bromohexyl side chains are quaternized by 1-vinylimidazole in order to attach dialkylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid (IL) species along the conjugated backbone. Subsequently, polyfluorene polyelectrolyte nanoparticles (NPs) of 40 nm in average size are created via radical cross-linking of the pendant vinylimidazolium groups. Anion exchange from Br(-) to BF(4)(-), PF(6)(-), and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion (TFSI(-) renders NPs adjustable dispersability in various organic solvents. The hydrophobic-conjugated backbone and the hydrophilic dialkylimidazolium bromide IL moieties depict an amphiphilic profile, which allows the NPs to be deployed as conductive stabilizer in the emulsion polymerization of styrene. The resultant latexes are fluorescent, tunable in size and can be transferred to organic solvents without forfeiting their colloidal stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14476, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prescher
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghasimi
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höhne
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grygiel
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Landfester
authors.forename: Kai A I
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jiayin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D001965:Bromides / Q000737:chemistry; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001965:Bromides; D004573:Electrolytes; D005449:Fluorenes; D007093:Imidazoles; D052578:Ionic Liquids; D011108:Polymers
keywords: conjugated polymers; poly(ionic liquid); polyfluorenes; polymer modification; smart stabilizers