Nanoscale hybrid silica/polymer Janus particles with a double-responsive hemicorona

Abstract We report a versatile large-scale synthesis strategy for hybrid Janus nanoparticles with a silica core and a unilaterally attached polymer corona in a size range below 100 nm. The stimuli-responsive behavior of these nanoparticles with a poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) hemicorona is investigated. The synthesis is based on a modified version of the Pickering emulsion polymerization technique in combination with surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in a “grafting from” approach. In a first step, poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) latex particles are prepared via Pickering emulsion polymerization. Colloidal stability is provided by 30 nm silica nan…