Structure of Single-Chain Nanoparticles under Crowding Conditions: A Random Phase Approximation Approach
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Date
2023-11Author
Robles Hernández, Beatriz
González Burgos, Marina
Malo de Molina, Paula
Asenjo Sanz, Isabel
Radulescu, Aurel
Arbe Méndez, María Aranzazu
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Macromolecules 56(21) : 8971-8979 (2023)
Abstract
The conformation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) and their corresponding linear precursors in the presence of deuterated linear PMMA in deuterated dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions has been studied by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The SANS profiles were analyzed in terms of a three-component random phase approximation (RPA) model. The RPA approach described well the scattering profiles in dilute and crowded solutions. Considering all the contributions of the RPA leads to an accurate estimation of the single chain form factor parameters and the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter between PMMA and DMF. The value of the latter in the dilute regime indicates that the precursors and the SCNPs are in good solvent conditions, while in crowding conditions, the polymer becomes less soluble.