6533b838fe1ef96bd12a4566

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Reactive nanorods based on activated esterpolymers: a versatile template-assisted approach for the fabrication of functional nanorods

Katja NillesNiko HaberkornPatrick TheatoPatrick TheatoPhilipp Schattling

subject

chemistry.chemical_classificationMaterials scienceFabricationPolymers and PlasticsOrganic Chemistrytechnology industry and agricultureBioengineeringNanotechnologyPentafluorophenyl estersPolymerBiochemistrychemistry.chemical_compoundchemistryAmideSelf-healing hydrogelsDrug deliveryAluminium oxideNanorod

description

A new route for the fabrication of polymeric nanorods with functional moieties via post-modification of reactive nanorods is described. To this end reactive nanorods with a homogenous and narrow size distribution were fabricated by utilizing an anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template-assisted approach. The nanorods are based on activated pentafluorophenyl esters, to enable quantitative post-modification with amines under very mild reaction conditions yielding the corresponding functionalized amide. Post-modification with fluorescent dyes as well as the conversion into well-dispersed rod-shaped poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels that exhibit a thermal-responsive phase transition was demonstrated. The platform of reactive nanorods provides the fabrication of various functional nanoobjects and may find application in research fields like drug delivery.

https://doi.org/10.1039/c0py00314j