Synthesis of PS-b-P2VP di-block copolymer particles with internal structure via simple reprecipitation method

The polystyrene-block-poly-2-vinylpyridine (PS-b-P2VP) di-block copolymer nanoparticles with onionlike internal structure have been synthesized by a simple reprecipitation method under stirring. The internal structures of the di-block copolymer nanoparticles were dependent on kinetic process in the reprecipitation method such as morphology quenching. Relatively quick reprecipitation conditions produced transient morphologies such as random-onion core-shell or random/cylindrical internal structure, while the slow reprecipitation conditions yielded the onion-like internal morphology. By adjusting the combination of common solvent and poor solvent, we could control the internal morphology of d-BCP nanoparticles in the simple reprecipitation method. In addition, we could synthesize porous titanium oxide nanoparticles by templating the d-BCP nanoparticles with internal structure. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]