Structure and Ultrasonic Sensitivity of the Superparticles Formed by Self-Assembly of Single Chain Janus Nanoparticles

Single chain Janus nanoparticles (SCJNPs) (tadpole-like Janus nanoparticles) with a PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)) chain as the “tail” and a cross-linked PCEMA (poly(2-cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate)) chain as the “head” were synthesized conveniently and efficiently by directly photo-cross-linking PCEMA block of PEO-b-PCEMA diblock copolymer in the common solvent DMF; intramolecular cross-linking occurred dominantly at a relatively high concentration of the copolymer when the cross-linking speed is relatively low, leading to SCJNPs. In selective solvent for the “tails”, the rigid “heads” aggregated into superparticles. It is significant that under a gentle ultrasonic treatment (40 kHz for 10 min) the spherical superparticles formed in DMF/ethanol (1/4, v/v) dissociated into individual SCJNPs. It is also demonstrated that even in pure water in which the superparticles have a more closely aggregated structure, there are still hydrophilic channels within the superparticles connecting the surrounding medium and the inside of the superparticles, which allows rapid transport of hydrophilic small molecules within the superparticles, as demonstrated by the fast acid quench of fluorescence of the encapsulated ANS (8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate). These features should make the superparticles promising in the applications as templates for biomimetic mineralization, highly efficient microreactors for interfacial chemical reactions, and ultrasound responsive nanovehicles for controlled drug release.