Amphiphilic invertible polymers for adsolubilization on hydrophilic and hydrophobized silica nanoparticles

Adsolubilization of poorly water-soluble 2-naphthol into amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs) has been successfully performed on hydrophilic and hydrophobized silica nanoparticles. The polymers adsolubilize molecules of sparingly water-soluble 2-naphthol into the adsorbed layer on both substrates.AIP macromolecules show different surface activity depending on length of the hydrophobic fragment in macromolecules. Different AIP fragments are responsible for polymer adsorption on hydrophilic and hydrophobized silica. It is expected that mainly AIP hydrophobic fragments interact with 2-naphthol molecules and facilitate adsolubilization. The amount of adsolubilized 2-naphthol does not depend on substrate nature and length of the hydrophobic fragment in polymer. It is primarily regulated by the total length of the adsorbed macromolecules.

Adsolubilization of 2-naphthol at AIPs-modified hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (55 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► Amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs) are made from hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents that are alternately distributed along the polymer backbone.
► AIPs form invertible micelles and self-arranged aggregates of micelles in response to tuning of the polymer concentration and polarity in both polar and non-polar environments.
► AIPs adsorb on both hydrophilic and hydrophobized silica nanoparticles and adsolubilize poorly soluble substances into an adsorbed polymer layer in water.
► There is a potential application of AIP systems in aqueous media, including water purification (adsolubilization of pollutants), biomedical and agricultural application, drug delivery, etc.