Template synthesis of stimuli-responsive nanoporous polymer-based spheres via sequential assembly

Abstract

Nanoporous polymer-based spheres were synthesized via sequential assembly of macromolecules (e.g., polyelectrolytes (PEs), peptides, and proteins) in mesoporous silica (MS) particles, followed by removal of the MS templates. The sequential infiltration of PEs in the mesopores for the model system poly-Acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) was demonstrated by various methods, including nitrogen sorption, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The influence of parameters such as layer cross-linking, solution pH, ionic strength, and MS pore size on the synthesis of the PAA/PAH nanoporous polymer spheres (NPS)..