Monodisperse, charge-stabilized, core-shell particles via silica-supported reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization for cell imaging

We describe the formation of monodisperse silica-polymer core-shell particles of tunable particle sizes. Incorporation of a comonomer in the surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization resulted in fluorescent particles, which were further functionalized to yield hydrophilic, highly uniform particles that are sterically stable in biologically relevant conditions. The particles were further shown to adhere to the walls and be endocytosed into the human colon cancer cells, allowing the cells to be imaged using confocal microscopy.