Organic-inorganic composites are vital in biological, medical, and chemical applications. Among them, core-shell composite nanoparticles are a unique class of materials which are attractive for their wdie applications.  In this presentation, we report the synthesis of environmentally responsive core-shell composite particles through one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization. Polystyrene-silica core-shell nanocomposite particles are successfully synthesized by self-assembling silica nanoparticles as stabilizers in emulsion polymerization (Pickering emulsion polymerization). Motivated by potential applications of �smart� composite nanoparticles in controlled drug delivery, the Pickering emulsion polymerization route is further applied to synthesize polystyrene/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-silica core-shell nanoparticles with N-isopropylacrylamide incorporated into the core as a co-monomer.  The polystyrene/PNIPAAm-silica composite nanoparticles are temperature sensitive, demonstrate effective drug release upon volume change, and show promising cytotoxicity results in prostate cancer therapy.  In addition, we have incorporated 2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate in the Pickering emulsion polymerization and synthesized pH responsive core-shell composite nanoparticles which release rheological modifiers upon pH change.

Environmentally responsive core-shell composite nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and application

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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