Nanoparticles With Multiple Polymer Assemblies Synthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for synthesizing nanoparticles with multiple polymer assemblies are limited, particularly in forming mixed polymer brush grafted surfaces, as they often require split anchoring agents and result in uniform ratios of polymeric chains, restricting the types of monomers and polymerization techniques that can be used.

Innovation Solution

The development of methods involving consecutive step-by-step polymerizations, such as RAFT polymerization followed by ATRP, allows for the synthesis of nanoparticles with multiple polymeric assemblies, enabling control over monomer type, molecular weight, and polydispersity, and enabling the attachment of multiple polymeric chains to the nanoparticle surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If split anchoring agents with two functionalized groups are used to attach polymeric chains to nanoparticles, then multiple polymeric chains can be attached to the nanoparticle surface, but the method is limited in the types of monomers that can be used and forces a 50/50 percentage ratio of each polymeric chain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetypes of monomers that can be usedVSAvoidanchoring agent structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses separate anchoring agents for each polymeric chain rather than a single split anchoring agent. Each anchoring agent is attached independently to the nanoparticle surface, allowing different monomers to be polymerized from each anchoring agent. This segmentation enables greater versatility in monomer selection and breaks the 50/50 ratio constraint inherent in split anchoring agents with two functionalized groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If homopolymer chains are grafted onto inorganic nanoparticle substrates to shield the nanoparticle from the matrix, then the nanoparticle is protected from de-wetting, but unfavorable entropic interactions between the grafted chains and the matrix cause the system to de-wet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanoparticle shielding from matrixVSAvoidautophobic de-wetting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite polymer brushes by combining different polymer chains (e.g., homopolymers and copolymers) grafted onto the nanoparticle surface. This composite structure allows the system to maintain nanoparticle shielding while introducing polymer segments with different chemical compatibilities to the matrix, thereby reducing unfavorable entropic interactions and suppressing autophobic de-wetting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If controlled radical polymerization is used to synthesize polymer brushes on nanoparticles, then polymer architectures such as block copolymers and star polymers can be synthesized, but the methods are limited in forming mixed polymer brush grafted surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer architectures that can be synthesizedVSAvoidsynthesis of mixed polymer brushes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple separate anchoring agents on the nanoparticle surface, each capable of initiating polymerization of different monomers. This segmentation allows independent control over each polymeric chain's composition and architecture, enabling the synthesis of mixed polymer brushes with diverse architectures (block copolymers, star polymers, graft copolymers) without the limitations of conventional single-initiator methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the creation of nanoparticles with diverse polymeric architectures, improving their dispersion in organic polymer matrices and enhancing mechanical, optical, and biological properties, such as antibacterial activity, in polymer nanocomposites.

Implementation Method 1

a first polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the first anchoring compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a first plurality of first monomers are polymerized on the first anchoring compound to form a first polymeric chain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9475922B2Nanoparticles with multiple attached polymer assemblies and use thereof in polymer composites

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

AI summary

Methods of synthesizing a binary polymer functionalized nanoparticle are generally provided. In one embodiment, a first anchoring compound is attached to a nanoparticle, and a first plurality of first monomers are polymerized on the first anchoring compound to form a first polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the first anchoring compound. In another embodiment, a first polymeric chain can be attached to the nanoparticle, where the first polymeric chain has been polymerized prior to attachment to the nanoparticle. Thereafter, a second anchoring compound is attached to the nanoparticle, and a second plurality of second monomers are polymerized on the second anchoring compound to form a second polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle via the second anchoring compound. Nanoparticles are also generally provided having multiple polymeric assemblies.