Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Cross-Linked Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanostructures with Hydrophobic Core and Hydrophilic Shell

Abstract

One-pot synthesis of polymeric nanostructures, by using ultrasound without adding initiators and surfactants, is a straightforward approach that has attracted significant attention in polymer science. In this study, the ultrasonic polymerization technique is employed to synthesize poly(ethylene glycol) based nanoparticles with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell. Interfacial polymerization is performed using an oil-in-water emulsion containing oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate as a water-soluble monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate acting as an oily-cross-linker phase. Both the radicals and physical effects generated by acoustic cavitation are crucial to conduct..