Asymmetric Incorporation of Silver Nanoparticles in Polymeric Assemblies by Coassembly of Tadpole‐Like Nanoparticles and Amphiphilic Block Copolymers. Issue 20 (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huo, Haohui; Li, Zepeng; Tan, Tianyi; Chen, Long; Ungar, Goran; Hoogenboom, Richard; Zhang, Qilu; Liu, Feng
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular rapid communications. Volume 42:Issue 20(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: asymmetric localization -- nanoparticles -- self‐assembly -- star polymers; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100354
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1336

Abstract

Abstract: A general approach to asymmetrically localize nanoparticles (NPs) in larger polymeric nanostructures is demonstrated by coassembly of tadpole‐like silver NPs (AgNPs) and amphiphilic block copolymers (BCPs). The tadpole‐like AgNPs are prepared by template synthesis using a tailor‐made A(BC)20 star polymer, namely poly(ethylene glycol)[poly(acrylic acid)‐ block ‐polystyrene]20 [PEG(PAA‐ b ‐PS)20 ], as template resulting in AgNPs decorated with twenty short PS chains and one long PEG chain, named Ag@PEG(PS)20 . The asymmetric distribution of these AgNPs in various polymeric nanostructures, e.g., spherical micelles, cylindrical micelles, vesicles, and sponge phase, is achieved via coassembly of the as‐prepared Ag@PEG(PS)20 and PEG‐ b ‐PS in solution driven by the anisotropic nature of the Ag@PEG(PS)20 . This report not only provides a new strategy for the fabrication of tadpole‐like NPs but also offers opportunity for off‐center distributing NPs in hybrid assemblies, which may find applications in, e.g., sensing, catalysis, and diagnostics. Abstract : A facile and general strategy to asymmetrically incorporate silver NPs (AgNP) in various polymeric nanostructures, e.g., spherical micelles, cylindrical micelles, vesicles, and sponge phase, is achieved by coassembly of tadpole‐like AgNPs and amphiphilic block copolymer PEG‐ b ‐PS in solution driven by the anisotropic nature of the AgNPs.