With polymer photoclicks to fluorescent microspheres

Jordan P. Hooker, Laura Delafresnaye, Leonie Barner, Christopher Barner-Kowollik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We demonstrate that fluorescent, narrow-disperse microspheres are rapidly and readily prepared by photo-clicking pre-functionalised polymers using the highly efficient nitrile-imine mediated tetrazole-ene cycloaddition (NITEC) reaction. Our approach requires no stabilisers, bases or initiators, and proceeds under mild UV irradiation at ambient temperature. The diameter of the microspheres can be tuned in the 0.25-0.75 μm range depending on the reaction conditions, including polymer concentration, polymer ratio and the solvent composition. Critically, we explore the application potential of the microspheres, including fluorescence, degradation and swellability for encapsulation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)356-363
Number of pages8
JournalMaterials Horizons
Volume6
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

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