Environmentally Responsive Core-Shell Composite Nanoparticles – Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

  Nanoparticles are receiving increasing attention since they have properties that are significantly different than those of bulk materials. Organic-inorganic composites are vital in biological, medical, and chemical applications. Among them, core-shell composite nanoparticles are a unique class of materials which are attractive for their potential applications as delivery vehicles (for drugs, dyes, cosmetics, ink etc.).  In this presentation, we report the novel synthesis of environmentally responsive core-shell composite particles through one-step Pickering emulsion polymerization.  The synthesized polystyrene/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-silica core-shell nanoparticles are temperature sensitive, demonstrate effective drug release upon volume change, and show promising cytotoxicity results in prostate cancer therapy.  In addition, we have incorporated 2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate into the Pickering emulsion polymerization and synthesized pH responsive core-shell composite nanoparticles which release rheological modifiers upon pH change.