Researchers from Princeton University and University of Connecticut have shown that 4,4′-diazidobiphenyl is an efficient photoactivatable crosslinker for polystyrene.
Crosslinking of the core of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer nanoparticles was achieved by encapsulation of small molecule aryl diazides (4,4′-diazidobiphenyl) and subsequent photolysis. Nanoparticles modified in this way showed high thermal stability and have potential to be used as nanobeads for PCR. It was also found that 4,4′-diazidobiphenyl can confer solvent resistance to thin films of polystyrene.
Interested to know more? Why not read the full article for free: Siyan Zhang, Douglas H. Adamson, Robert K. Prud’homme and A. James Link, Polym. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C0PY00350F (Advance Article)
