The Synthesis and Modification of Nanosized Clickable Latex Particles

• Main Author: Almahdali, Sarah
• Other Authors: Rodionov, Valentin
• Language: en
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Miniemulsion Polymerization; Latex Particles; Click Chemistry; Styrene; Pentafluorostyrene; Azidomethyl Styrene
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10754/293324

This research aims to add to the current knowledge available for miniemulsion polymerization reactions and to use this knowledge to synthesize multifunctional nanosized latex particles that have the potential to be used in catalysis. The physical properties of the latex can be adjusted to suit various environments due to the multiple functional groups present. For this research, styrene, pentafluorostyrene, azidomethyl styrene, pentafluorostyrene with azidomethyl styrene and pentafluorostyrene with styrene latexes were produced, and analyzed by dynamic light scattering. The latexes were synthesized using a miniemulsion polymerization technique found through this research. Potassium oleate and potassium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate were used as surfactants during the miniemulsion polymerization reaction to synthesize pentafluorostyrene with azidomethyl styrene latex. Transmission electron microscopy data and dynamic light scattering data have been collected to analyze the structure of this latex, and it has been synthesized using a number of conditions, differing in reaction time, surfactant amount and sonication methods. We have also improved the solubility of the latex through a copper(I) catalyzed 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne reaction, by clicking (polyethylene glycol)5000 onto the azide functional groups.