Colloidal Unimolecular polymer (CUPs) is a single chain polymer nanoparticle made by a process of self-folding or self-assembly of the polymer chain to form a spheroidal particle. The polymer chains consist of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. CUPs are 3-9 nm in size, zero VOC, spheroidal particles that are self-stabilized via electronic repulsion due to the presence of hydrophilic surface charge groups which can be anionic or cationic groups. Each CUP particle is surrounded by a layer of bound or surface water which has different properties like freezing point, density, specific heat capacity as compared to regular water. Designing a CUPs particle to meet ones requirements is extremely easy due to the flexibility and variability it offers in terms of size of the particle, charge density (number of charges per unit area present on the surface) as well as the type of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers that can be used to make them. Since each polymer chain collapses into a single particle, the size can be easily controlled by manipulating the molecular weight of the polymer. For the polymer chain to collapse into a CUP particle, a balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic units is extremely important. Too many hydrophilic groups can cause a change in conformation (from spheroidal to dumbbell or pearl necklace) whereas too few hydrophilic groups can cause aggregation. It is necessary to define the upper and lower limits of the surface charge density as a using a universal parameter that can be easily applied to all types and size of monomers which will greatly simplify the synthesis of these particles. The parameter for a change in conformation from sphere to dumbbell during reduction was verified using particle size measurements, viscosity and surface area calculated using freezing point depression measurements. The design and formation parameters will be defined in this presentation.

Design and synthesis of colloidal unimolecular polymers

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.