The use of amphiphilic triblock copolymers bearing a reactive alkoxysilane middle block as polymeric stabilizers is reported in this work. A series of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate‐b‐(3‐trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate‐b‐benzyl methacrylate (PEGMA‐b‐MPS‐b‐BzMA) triblock copolymers were prepared by RAFT solution polymerization and polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA), respectively, where the various block lengths and overall composition were varied. The copolymers prepared by solution polymerization were employed as oil‐in‐water stabilizers where upon application of a catalyst, the 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS) block at the droplet interface was crosslinked to yield capsule‐like structures. The effectiveness of interfacial crosslinking was validated by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. In situ self‐assembly by the PISA method resulted in spherical nanoparticles of controllable size that were readily crosslinked by addition of base, with significant enhancement of colloidal stability.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	self-assembly, crosslinking, interfacial polymerization, alkoxysilanes
Research Division:	Chemical Sciences
Research Group:	Inorganic chemistry
Research Field:	Metal organic frameworks
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences
UTAS Author:	Teo, GH (Mr Guo Teo)
UTAS Author:	Thickett, SC (Associate Professor Stuart Thickett)
ID Code:	135067
Year Published:	2019
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	Chemistry
Deposited On:	2019-09-26
Last Modified:	2022-08-27
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