Synthesis of double-responsive magnetic latex particles via seeded emulsion polymerization using macroRAFT block copolymers as stabilizers

We report an efficient method to synthesize stimuli-responsive magnetic latexes with high magnetic response. An amphiphilic poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene (PDMAEMA-b-PS) block copolymer was first synthesized by RAFT solution polymerization, and subsequently employed to stabilize iron oxide clusters. The resulting superparamagnetic clusters were then used as seeds in styrene emulsion polymerization generating magnetic latex particles with a strong response to a magnetic field, and decorated with double-responsive PDMAEMA segments.