title: Hierarchical self-assembly of PDMA-b-PS chains into granular nanoparticles: genesis and fate.
abstract: The hierarchical self-assembly of an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-block-polystyrene with a very short hydrophilic block (PDMA10 -b-PS62 ), in large granular nanoparticles is reported. While these nanoparticles are stable in water, their disaggregation can be induced either mechanically (i.e., by applying a force via the tip of the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM)) or by partial hydrolysis of the acrylamide groups. AFM force spectroscopy images show the rupture of the particle as a combination of collapse and flow, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of partly hydrolyzed nanoparticles provide a clear picture of the granular structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science, University of Milan "Bicocca", via R. Cozzi 53, Milan, 20125, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.forename: Kaloian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koynov
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kappl
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lieberwirth
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simonutti
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; C429790:poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)
keywords: block-copolymers; hierarchical structure; micelles; nanoparticles; self-assembly