Formula-Driven, Size-Tunable Synthesis of PMMA Nanoparticles by Varying Surfactant Concentration

Brian L. Kamras; Nooshin Mirzanasiri; Daniel K. Korir; Sujata Mandal; Shreya L. Hariharakumar; Robby A. Petros; Sreekar B. Marpu; Denise P. Simmons; Mohammad A. Omary

doi:10.3390/ma13081834

Materials (Apr 2020)

Formula-Driven, Size-Tunable Synthesis of PMMA Nanoparticles by Varying Surfactant Concentration

Brian L. Kamras,
Nooshin Mirzanasiri,
Daniel K. Korir,
Sujata Mandal,
Shreya L. Hariharakumar,
Robby A. Petros,
Sreekar B. Marpu,
Denise P. Simmons,
Mohammad A. Omary

Affiliations

Brian L. Kamras: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Nooshin Mirzanasiri: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Daniel K. Korir: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Sujata Mandal: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Shreya L. Hariharakumar: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Robby A. Petros: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX 76204, USA
Sreekar B. Marpu: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Denise P. Simmons: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Mohammad A. Omary: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13081834
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 8
p. 1834

Abstract

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In this communication, we present a streamlined, reproducible synthetic method for the production of size-tunable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles (PMMANPs) and amine-functionalized block-copolymer PMMANPs (H2N-PMMANPs) by varying subcritical concentrations (i.e., below the concentration required to form micelles at 1 atm and 20 °C) of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). We plotted the Z-average size data against SDS concentration, which revealed a second-order exponential decay function, expressed as A 1 e − x t 1 + A 2 e − x t 2 + y 0 . The surfactant concentration (wt./wt.%) has been selected as independent variable x. This function is valid at least for the size range of 20 nm to 97 nm (PMMANPs) and 20 nm to 133 nm (H2N-PMMANPs).

Published in Materials

ISSN: 1996-1944 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering; Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); Science: Natural history (General): Microscopy; Science: Physics: Descriptive and experimental mechanics
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/

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