A facile route to synthesize highly uniform nanocapsules: Use of amphiphilic poly (acrylic acid)-block-polystyrene RAFT agents to interfacially confine miniemulsion polymerization

Abstract

Miniemulsion polymerization with an amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)-block-polystyrene reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer agent as a surfactant and polymerization mediator is used to synthesize highly uniform nanocapsules. The nanocapsules with uniformstructures, which include particle size, shell thickness, and shape symmetry, could be achieved by the post-addition of a small amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Although the solid particles seem unavoidable, the 'pure' uniform core-shell structures are easily collected by centrifugation. © 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA,.