Polymer modification of colloidal particles by spontaneous polymerization of surface active monomers

Rapid nanostructuration of polymer colloid surfaces by nonsolvent induced phase separation

We have designed an effective strategy for producing nanostructures on the polymer colloid surfaces within few minutes. The poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)-stabilized polystyrene colloid latex dispersed in ethanol was exposed to a nonsolvent medium of PVP and nanometric droplets formed on the polymer colloid surfaces within few minutes. Surface wettability of the polymer colloids with nanoprotrusions experienced a significant change as compared with the smooth polymer colloids. The formation mechanism was ascribed to the precipitation of PVP phase due to the nonsolvent induced phase separation. To further confirm the proposed mechanism, the material components included in the polymer colloid lattices before the nanostructuration process and surface compositions on the nanostructured polymer colloid surfaces were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) respectively. This new strategy provides an alternative and promising method for patterning curved polymer surfaces. The polymer colloids with different surface textures would be ideal for use as model systems in biomedical research such as targets in phagocytosis and platforms of drug delivery.

Preparation and self-assembly of carboxylic acid-functionalized silica

A simple method for the fabrication of silica nanoparticle film based on the covalent-bonding interaction between carboxylic acid-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO(2)-COOH) and amino-terminated silicon wafer was developed. Prior to assembly, silica nanoparticles with an average diameter 80 nm were prepared using the Stöber method, amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO(2)-NH(2)) were prepared by a silanization with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), while carboxylic acid-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO(2)-COOH) were prepared by a ring opening linker elongation reaction of the amine functions with succinic anhydride, at the same time, amino-terminated silicon wafer (Si-NH(2)) was obtained by self-assembling 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, then one layer relative close-packed carboxylic acid-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO(2)-COOH) was arranged on silicon wafer through amidation reaction under DCC coupling agent.

Characterization of silica-coated hematite and application to the formation of composite particles including egg yolk PC liposomes

According to the method of Ohmori et al. (J. Colloid Interface Sci. 150 (1992) 594), a procedure is examined for the buildup of uniform silica layers on monodispersed hematite particles. It appears that the silica layer resulting is homogeneous and the layer thickness is controlled by the concentration of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in the medium. Further, egg PC liposomes, a typical biocolloid, are introduced onto the silica-coated hematite particle. The formation was proceeded by two types of processes: (1) heterocoagulation between the silica-coated hematite and egg PC liposomes by controlling the concentration of LaCl(3) in the medium, or (2) buildup using two proteins (lysozyme or cytochrome C) as binder molecules. These results were analyzed by zeta-potential measurements and a contact-type X-ray microscope, which is a unique technique for obtaining X-ray images of biological specimens in water with high resolution.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica/Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Nanocomposite Latex Particles through Emulsion Polymerization Using a Cationic Azo Initiator

Following a previous work (J. L. Luna-Xavier et al., Colloid Polym. Sci.279, 947 (2001)), silica-poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite latex particles have been synthesized in emulsion polymerization using a cationic initiator, 2,2'-azobis (isobutyramidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA), and a nonionic polyoxyethylenic surfactant (NP30). Silica beads with diameters of 68, 230, and 340 nm, respectively, were used as the seed. Coating of the silica particles with PMMA was taking place in situ during polymerization, resulting in the formation of colloidal nanocomposites with a raspberry-like or a core-shell morphology, depending on the size and nature of the silica beads. The amount of surface polymer was quantified by means of ultracentrifugation and thermogravimetric analysis as extensively described in the first article of the series (see above reference). The influence of some determinant parameters such as the pH of the suspension, the initiator, silica, monomer, or surfactant concentration on the amount of coating polymer and on the efficiency of the coating reaction was investigated in details and discussed in light of the physicochemical properties of the seed mineral. Electrostatic attraction between the positive end groups of the macromolecules and the inorganic surface proved to be the driving force of the polymer assembly on the seed surface at high pH, while polymerization in adsorbed surfactant bilayers (so-called admicellar polymerization) appeared to be the predominant mechanism of coating at lower pH. Optimal conditions have been found to reach high encapsulation efficiencies and to obtain a regular polymer layer around silica.