Nanocomposites and nanomaterials
PS/PNIPAM-co-AAm core/shell nanogels with size-controlled thermosensitivity 
L.O. Vretik1, O.A. Nikolaeva1, I. Oksak1, A.I. Marynin2,  O.M. Chepurna3, T.Y. Ohulchanskyy3
1Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Volodymyrska Str. 64/13, Kyiv-01601, Ukraine. 
E-mail: lvretik@gmail.com

2National University of Food Technologies, Volodymyrska Str. 68, Kyiv, Ukraine.
E-mail: andrii_marynin@ukr.net

3College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China.
E-mail: tyo@szu.edu.cn

Polymeric nanoparticles (NP) can be used in nanoparticle therapeutics containing small-molecule drugs. The advantages of polymeric over other types of nanocarriers are based on the flexibility over which their structures can be modified. NPs with combination of hydrophobic properties of poly(styrene) (PS) with hydrophilic and thermosensitive properties of PNIPAM, would provide an opportunity to regulate their swelling behavior towards different type of organic molecules. Copolymerization of NIPAM with hydrophilic monomers, e.g. acrylamide/substituted acrylamides (AAm), would give an opportunity to tune LCST (lower critical solution temperature) over inherent LCST of PNIPAM at 32oC.
This talk will present our work on development of PS/PNIPAM-co-AAm core/shell NPs with hydrodynamic diameter ~50-400 nm and LCSTs strongly dependent of the thickness of thermoresponsive shell. The talk will conclude with a discussion on challenges in design and synthesis of a such type of NPs.

1.	Ballauff, M.; Lu, Y. "Smart" nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization and applications // Polymer.- 2007.-48.- P.1815-1823.