Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) branched polymer nanoparticles

Chambon, P., Chen, L., Furzeland, S., Atkins, D., Weaver, J. V. M. and Adams, D. J. (2011) Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) branched polymer nanoparticles. Polymer Chemistry, 2(4), pp. 941-949. (doi: 10.1039/C0PY00369G)

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Abstract

A series of thermally responsive branched copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) are synthesized using a direct, single step modified free radical polymerization strategy. The aqueous solution behaviour and nanoparticle formation of these copolymers are studied and correlated to the NIPAAm : PEGMA molar ratio and PEGMA chain length. All copolymers are water-soluble as discrete polymer chains at low temperature. On raising the solution temperature, inter-polymer interactions—that is, aggregation of polymers—are inhibited at higher PEGMA molar ratios and at long PEGMA chain lengths. The statistical incorporation of monomer residues and the short primary chain lengths within these branched copolymer structures result in the effective “dampening out” of NIPAAm thermo-responsivity and provides new insight into the architecture and composition of these complex copolymer structures

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Adams, Dave
Authors: Chambon, P., Chen, L., Furzeland, S., Atkins, D., Weaver, J. V. M., and Adams, D. J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:Polymer Chemistry
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:1759-9954
ISSN (Online):1759-9962
Published Online:24 January 2011

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