Just as single amino-acid chains fold into dimensionally defined structures, so too may synthetic polymer chains with pendant cross-linkable functionalities collapse into dimensionally defined shapes. Protocols have been developed for accessing this so-called single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP) motif using a wide range of cross-linking chemistries. In this diversity lies a great potential to impart additional morphological and functional designs within the soft nanomaterial framework. In this work, SCNP were prepared from parent polymers capable of initiating intra-chain polymerization by ATRP under conditions favoring termination by coupling. Because of the wide variety of compatible monomers, the design imparts handles with which to control both architecture and functionality. To demonstrate this potential, model simple and hyperbranched examples were prepared.

Handles for controlled architecture and functionality in single-chain nanoparticles: Cross-linking by intrachain ATRP

255th National Meeting (2018)

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