Designing Microparticle-Impregnated Polyelectrolyte Composite: The Combination of ATRP, Fast Azidation, and Click Reaction Using a Single-Catalyst, Single-Pot Strategy.

Ranjit De,Hohjai Lee,Minhyuk Jung

doi:10.3390/ijms20225582

Abstract

Polystyrene microparticles were covalently impregnated into the networks of functional polyelectrolyte chains designed via a tandem run of three reactions: (i) synthesis of water-soluble polyelectrolyte, (ii) fast azidation and (iii) a ‘click’ reaction, using the single-catalyst, single-pot strategy at room temperature in mild aqueous media. The model polyelectrolyte sodium polystyrenesulfonate (NaPSS) was synthesized via the well-controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) whose halogen living-end was transformed to azide and subsequently coupled with an alkyne carboxylic acid through a ‘click’ reaction using the same ATRP catalyst, throughout. Halogen to azide transformation was fast and followed the radical pathway, which was explained through a plausible mechanism. Finally, the success of microparticle impregnation into the NaPSS network was evaluated through Kaiser assay and imaging. This versatile synthetic procedure, having a reduced number of discrete reaction steps and eliminated intermediate work-ups, has established a fast and simple pathway to design functional polymers required to fabricate stable polymer-particle composites where the particles are impregnated covalently and controllably.

Highlights

Biocompatible polymer composites having impregnated nano- and micro-particles are receiving unprecedented attention for the design of advanced materials for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, Often, these particles are spread over the polymeric network to design various composite materials.it is challenging to distribute such fillers evenly to achieve the anticipated properties in all cases and sometimes they can degrade the material due to their poor bonding with polymer chains [13]
We report and single-pot strategy design polymer-microparticle composites
We report a fast and single-pot strategy to design polymer-microparticle composites having functional polymer sodium polystyrenesulfonate (NaPSS) designed through the

Summary

Introduction

It is challenging to distribute such fillers evenly to achieve the anticipated properties in all cases and sometimes they can degrade the material due to their poor bonding with polymer chains [13]. Strong attachment, such as covalent bonding between particles and polymer chains with consequential controlled distribution in the network, is required to overcome this challenge. To fabricate such soft matter networks, functional polymers with precise architectures are the prerequisite.

Methods

Results

Conclusion