Poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) exhibits a phenomenon known as co-nonsolvency in certain alcohol/water mixtures. Previously, we exploited this unusual behavior to prepare biocompatible sterically-stabilized PMPC latexes via dispersion polymerization in IPA/water mixtures using conventional free radical polymerization chemistry (see H. Ahmad et al., Langmuir, 2009, 25, 11442). In this work, we synthesized the corresponding PMPC nanolatexes via ATRP in a 9:1 isopropanol/water mixture using ATRP and an ethylene glycol dimethacrylate cross-linker. DLS studies confirmed that the intensity-average diameter of the PMPC nanolatex (DP = 50; [MPC]0:[EGDMA]0 = 10:1; ~ 100% conversion) was approximately 100 nm (polydispersity = 0.08) in a 9:1 isopropanol/water mixture. After dialysis against water, this nanolatex swelled up to around 180 nm but retained its narrow size distribution, as judged by DLS. The effect of varying the target degree of polymerization, the degree of cross-linking, and MPC concentration on the final PMPC latex diameter was examined in detail.

Synthesis of biocompatible poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) nanolatexes via ATRP in alcohol/water mixtures

239th National Meeting (2010)

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