Abstract
Surface-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by: a) self-assembly of poly(4-vinylbenzocyclobutene-
b-butadiene) diblock copolymer (PVBCB-
b-PB) to form spherical micelles (diameter: 15–48
nm) in decane, a selective solvent for PB, b) crosslinking of the PVBCB core through thermal dimerization at 200–240
°C, and c) cleavage of the PB corona via ozonolysis and addition of dimethyl sulfide to afford aldehyde-functionalized nanoparticles (diameter: ∼16–20
nm), along with agglomerated nanoparticles ranging from ∼30 to ∼100
nm in diameter. The characterization of the diblock copolymer precursors, the intermediate micelles and the final surface-functionalized crosslinked nanoparticles was carried out by a combination of size exclusion chromatography, static and dynamic light scattering, viscometry, thermogravimetric analysis,
1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
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