Degradable Vinyl Copolymer Nanoparticles/Latexes by Aqueous Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

The synthesis of degradable vinyl polymer nanoparticles/latexes in aqueous dispersed media is receiving much attention, particularly for biomedical applications and plastic pollution control, as it can circumvent the severe limitations associated with emulsification preformed polymers. Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), which enables situ formation suspensions diblock copolymer nano-objects high solids content, has become a very popular polymerization process due to its many advantages terms simplicity, robustness, scalability, versatility. However, preparation nanoparticles by direct PISA never been reported. This severely limits use environmental applications. Herein, we report first emulsion able generate nanoparticles. It relies on radical ring-opening polymerization-induced (rROPISA) traditional monomers (n-butyl acrylate or styrene) dibenzo[c,e]oxepane-5-thione (DOT), thionolactone that features stability protic solvents favorable reactivity precursor labile thioester groups main chain. Stable thioester-containing were obtained both monomers. Extensive degradation copolymers was successfully demonstrated under aminolytic basic conditions. Given success within community, this work potential greatly expand areas, from nanomedicine (providing applicability biocompatible polymers) coatings sustained materials.