title: Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties.
abstract: A method for the synthesis of electroactive polymers is demonstrated, starting with the synthesis of extended conjugation monomers using a three-step process that finishes with Negishi coupling. Negishi coupling is a cross-coupling process in which a chemical precursor is first lithiated, followed by transmetallation with ZnCl2. The resultant organozinc compound can be coupled to a dibrominated aromatic precursor to give the conjugated monomer. Polymer films can be prepared via electropolymerization of the monomer and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy. Nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared via emulsion polymerization of the monomer using a two-surfactant system to yield an aqueous dispersion of the polymer NPs. The NPs are characterized using dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and UV-Vis-NIR-spectroscopy. Cytocompatibility of NPs is investigated using the cell viability assay. Finally, the NP suspensions are irradiated with a NIR laser to determine their effectiveness as potential materials for photothermal therapy (PTT).
authors.affiliation: Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program, Texas State University.
authors.forename: Travis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cantu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University.
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rodier
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University.
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iszard
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University.
authors.forename: Alissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kilian
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pattani
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University.
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tunnell
authors.affiliation: Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program, Texas State University; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University; tb26@txstate.edu.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Betancourt
authors.affiliation: Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program, Texas State University; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University; jennifer.irvin@txstate.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irvin
mesh_terms: D004563:Electrochemistry; D004655:Emulsions; D006574:Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D006574:Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents