Epoxy-functional poly(stearyl methacrylate)-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PSMA-PGlyMA) diblock copolymer nanoparticles are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GlyMA) in mineral oil at 70 °C. This efficient polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) formulation yields well-defined spheres of tunable diameter, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. Such non-polar dispersions remain colloidally stable during long-term storage at 20 °C. Model epoxy-amine ring-opening reactions using <i>N</i>-methylaniline demonstrate the potential for post-polymerization functionalization of such spherical nanoparticles. As with related PISA formulations, utilizing a shorter PSMA macro-CTA facilitated the formation of PSMA-PGlyMA spheres, worms and vesicles. However, <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) studies indicate that there is gradual loss of epoxy group functionality owing to hydrolysis by trace water, albeit at a significantly slower rate than that reported for similar sterically-stabilized epoxy-functional nanoparticles prepared via RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerization.

RAFT dispersion polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate for the synthesis of epoxy-functional block copolymer nanoparticles in mineral oil

2019 Fall National Meeting

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