Amphiphilic Janus Twin Single-Chain Nanoparticles
Ji, XT (Ji, Xiaotian)[ 1 ] ; Zhang, Y (Zhang, Yue)[ 2 ] ; Zhao, HY (Zhao, Hanying)[ 1 ]
CHEMISTRY-A
EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 2018, 24(12): 3005-3012
DOI: 10.1002/chem.201705487
WOS:000429415200029
Abstract
In these
years, synthesis and self-assembly of nanoparticles with various sizes,
geometries and compositions have aroused great interest due to their scientific
significance and potential applications. The nanoparticles with asymmetric
structures are able to self-assemble into hierarchical structures for
constructing functional materials. To investigate the self-assembly behaviors
of the nano-sized asymmetric polymer particles, synthesis and self-assembly of
twin single-chain nanoparticles (TSCNPs), a type of covalently bonded SCNPs,
are reported in this research. A block co-polymer with pendant anthracene
groups and bromines on two blocks were synthesized by two-step reversible
addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. After two-step intramolecular
cross-linking reactions, anthracene photodimerization and atom transfer radical
coupling, TSCNPs were prepared. The amphiphilic TSCNPs possess surfactant
properties. Upon addition of the TSCNPs, the surface tension of water is
reduced. In aqueous solution, the TSCNPs self-assemble into vesicles with the
hydrophobic particles in the inner walls and the hydrophilic particles on the
surfaces.