This work is based on the development of nanoscopic materials that can undergo fundamental changes in network composition after nanoparticle formation via photoinitation. Before this work, there was no exisiting technique which could accomplish the network expansion of a nanoparticle network. Network expansion was achieved through the incorporation of monomers into the polymer network of the particles. Our novel technique was made possible through the incorporation of chain transfer agents within the crosslinking element of the nano-polymer network. Furthermore, the polymer backbone, as well part of the nano-polymer network can contain a living free radical chain end and be activated to perform chain growth and therefore nanoparticle expansion. The possibility to integrate functional monomers allows for the tuning of the particle characteristics as well as a means to insert new initiation sites for new polymerization reactions. In summary, we have shown that the formation of nano-networks via crosslinking of Michael acceptor functionalized, symmetrical trithiocarbonates with various thiolated co-polymer scaffolds based on polyglycidol, polycarbonate, polyacrylate and polyester backbones yield nano-network macroinitiators capable of experiencing precise network manipulations in size, architecture, and functionality through light mediated radical polymerizations

Controlled photoinitiated expansion of nano-networks

256th National Meeting (2018)

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