Bi-compartmental responsive polymer particles

Abstract

A novel type of bi-compartmental copolymer particle was synthesized in one-pot by controlling the phase separation during the polymerization process. The resulting particles have two distinct compartments, one consisting of mainly poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and the other of poly(N,N′-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). The particles exhibit changeable shapes and properties, such as swelling in solvents and deposition on surfaces, and can be used to control emulsification as a function of pH.