Facile preparation of crosslinked polymeric nanocapsules via combination of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and ultraviolet irradiated crosslinking techniques

Abstract

A facile approach for the preparation of crosslinked polymeric nanocapsules was developed by the combination of the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and ultraviolet irradiation crosslinking techniques. The well-defined polystyrene grafted silica nanoparticles were prepared via the SI-ATRP of styrene from functionalized silica nanoparticles. Then the grafted polystyrene chains were crosslinked with ultraviolet irradiation. The cross-linked polystyrene nanocapsules with diameter of 20-50 nm were achieved after the etching of the silica nanoparticle templates with hydrofluoric acid. The strategy developed was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy.