Multi-layer nano-particle preparation and applications

1. A multi-layer polymer nano-particle composition comprising:

a. a poly(alkenylbenzene) layer, and

b. at least two additional polymer layers,

wherein said nano-particles have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one layer includes at least one functional group.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein said functional group is selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, alcohols, amines, formyl, tin, silica, and mixtures thereof.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one layer is hydrogenerated.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one layer includes vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units and conjugated diene units.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said poly(alkenylbenzene) layer is cross-linked.

7. The composition of claim 5 wherein at least one layer comprises a mono-block polymer.

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein said mono-block polymer and said multiblock polymer layers are cross-linked inside a core of said nano-particle.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one layer comprises poly (conjugated diene) monomer units with a 1, 2 microstructure content of at least about 35%.

10. The composition of claim 6 wherein said poly (alkenylbenzene) layer comprises substantially a center of the nano-particle.

11. The composition of claim 1 wherein said at least two additional polymer layers are selected from the group consisting of poly(alkenylbenzene), poly(conjugated diene), poly(alkylene), poly(acrylate), poly(nitrile), and mixtures thereof.

12. The composition of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two additional polymer layers are hydrogenated.

13. The composition of claim 1 wherein said poly(alkenyl/benzene) comprises styrene.

14. A nano-particle composition comprising:

a. a poly(alkenylbenzene) core,

b. a polyalkylene surface layer comprising at least one alkylene contributed monomer unit, and

c. at least one additional layer,

wherein said nano-particles have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm.

15. The composition of claim 14 further comprising an initiator residue derived from an anionic polymerization initiator.

16. The composition of claim 15 wherein said initiator residue includes a functional group.

17. The composition of claim 14 wherein said polyalkylene surface layer is formed by hydrogenating a poly(conjugated diene) layer.

18. The composition of claim 14 further comprising a crosslinking agent.

19. A polymer nano-particle comprising:

a. a poly(alkenylbenzene) core,

b. at least two additional layers, one of which comprises an outer layer, and

wherein said nano-particles have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm.

c. said outer layer including a functional group.

20. The composition of claim 19 wherein said functional group is a component of an initiator residue.

21. The composition of claim 19 wherein said initiator residue is derived from a funictionalized anionic polymerization initiator.

22. The composition of claim 21 wherein said functionalized anionic polymerization initiator is hexamethylene imine propyllithium.

23. The composition of claim 19 wherein said functional group is selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, alcohols, amines, tin, silica, and mixtures thereof.

24. The composition of claim 21 wherein said functionalized anionic polymerization initiator is tributyl tin lithium.

25. The composition of claim 19 wherein at least one of said additional layers includes alkenylbenzene monomer units.

26. The composition of claim 19 wherein one of at least two additional layers includes polyalkylene formed by hydrogenating a poly(conjugated diene) layer.

27. The composition of claim 19 further comprising a crosslinking agent.

28. The composition of claim 27 wherein said crosslinking agent comprises a multi-functional organic compound.