Well-defined thermo-responsive polymeric nanocapsules by a one-pot method via surface-initiated atom transfer radical copolymerisation

The well-defined thermo-responsive polymeric nanocapsules were prepared by the one-pot approach via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical copolymerisation of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) and N, N-methylenebisacylamide (MBA) from the silica nanoparticle templates after the silica templates were removed by hydrofluoric acid (HF). The diameter of the polymeric nanocapsules is in the range of 20-40 nm, characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The temperature-induced dimensional change of the thermo-responsive polymeric nanocapsules was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) in aqueous solutions. The intelligent thermo-responsive polymeric nanocapsules are expected to be used for the controlled release of sensitive molecules, such as enzymes, proteins or DNA, by changing the environmental temperature.