Stimuli-triggered phase transfer of polymer-inorganic hybrid hairy particles between two immiscible liquid phases

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 52; no. 24; pp. 1600 - 1619
• Main Authors: Bao, Chunhui, Horton, Jonathan M., Bai, Zhifeng, Li, Dejin, Lodge, Timothy P., Zhao, Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 15.12.2014; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; atom transfer radical polymerization; Brushes; Catalysis; catalysts; colloids; Exact sciences and technology; Liquid phases; Liquid-liquid interfaces; Liquids; living polymerization; nanocomposites; nanoparticles; Organic polymers; phase transfer catalysis; Physicochemistry of polymers; poly(N-isopropylacrylamide); Properties and characterization; Solvents; Stimuli; stimuli-sensitive polymers; Surface properties; surfaces; stimuli-sensitive polymers; State of the art; Nanoparticle; Particle motion; Polymer brush; colloids; nanocomposites; phase transfer catalysis; poly(N-isopropylacrylamide); atom transfer radical polymerization; nanoparticles; surfaces; catalysts; Liquid liquid interface; living polymerization; Radiation effect; pH; Catalysis
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.23552

ABSTRACT Polymer brush‐grafted particles (i.e., hairy particles) capable of undergoing direct, especially reversible, phase transfer from one liquid phase to another immiscible liquid phase in response to environmental changes have received growing interest due to their great potential in a wide variety of applications. This article is intended to review recent exciting advances in stimuli‐triggered phase transfer of hairy particles in liquid‐liquid biphasic systems. We start with a discussion of the mechanism of particle transfer across a liquid‐liquid interface and progress to the synthesis of polymer brushes grafted on particles and the transfer of hairy particles between two immiscible liquid phases induced by various external stimuli, including temperature, pH, ionic strength, light, and solvents. The applications of thermally triggered phase transfer of hairy particles in catalysis (thermoregulated phase transfer catalysis) are discussed, followed by a summary and our perspective on future development. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1600–1619 Polymer brush‐grafted particles (hairy particles) that can undergo stimuli‐induced phase transfer between two immiscible liquids are an intriguing class of hybrid materials. This review focuses on recent advances in this burgeoning area, starting with a discussion of the mechanism of particle transfer across a liquid‐liquid interface and progressing to the phase transfer of hairy particles induced by various external stimuli including temperature, pH, and light. The applications in phase transfer catalysis are presented.