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

Polymeric nanoparticles (NP) can be applied in biomedical field for delivery of molecular therapeutics. The advantages of polymeric nanocarriers over others are based on the flexibility of their structure modification. Combination of hydrophobic properties of poly(styrene) (PS) with hydrophilic and thermosensitive properties of PNIPAM within same NPs would provide an opportunity to regulate their swelling -shrinkage behavior that is applicable towards entrapment and release of  different organic molecules. Furthermore, copolymerization of NIPAM with hydrophilic monomers, e.g. acrylamide/substituted acrylamides (AAm), can allow for  tuning LCST (lower critical solution temperature) away from the inherent LCST of PNIPAM (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 and content of the thermoresponsive shell. The talk will conclude with a discussion on challenges in design and synthesis of such NPs.

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