Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from polyelectrolyte core-shell colloidal particle surfaces

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Timothy M. Fulghum, Mi-Kyoung Park, and Rigoberto C. Advincula. Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 136 Fleming Building, Houston, TX 77204-5003
This approach builds on previous work involving the layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes on colloidal particles and surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). This will result in the preparation of core shell colloidal particles with a polymer brushes grafted from the shell. A core-shell architecture was prepared by depositing multilayers of poly (diallyldimethyl-ammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly (styrene sulfonate) (PSS) on PS colloidal particles. The growth of polyelectrolyte multilayers was confirmed with TEM, light-Scattering, and zeta-potential measurements to determine surface charges. The outermost layer of a core-shell particle was PSS to leave a negative surface charge. As a final layer a modified positively charged poly (vinyl pyridine) incorporating ATRP initiators was deposited onto PSS layer. Polymerization was carried out in aqueous media using Cu(I)Br as a catalyst. The growth of Polystyrene brushes on polyelectrolyte core-shells was monitored by AFM, TEM, and light scattering methods.