Synthesis of polyethylenimine-silica janus nanoparticles
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle and a method for synthesizing the same. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle includes a base nanoparticle. The base nanoparticle can include silicon dioxide. The base nanoparticle can have a lipophilic surface. A portion of the surface can be functionalized with a functionalizing material forming a hydrophilic portion. The functionalizing material can include polyethylenimine. A remaining portion of the surface is not functionalized forming a lipophilic portion. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle is amphiphilic.
1. An asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle, comprising:
a base nanoparticle, the base nanoparticle comprising silicon dioxide, the base nanoparticle having a lipophilic surface,
where a portion of the surface is functionalized with polyethylenimine forming a hydrophilic portion,
where a remaining portion of the surface is not functionalized forming a lipophilic portion,
where the asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle is amphiphilic.
2. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle of claim 1 , where the polyethylenimine is labeled with a fluorophore.
3. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle of claim 2 , where the fluorophore is fluorescinisothiocyanate.
4. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle of claim 1 , where the base nanoparticle has a size ranging between 80 nm and 200 nm.
5. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle of claim 1 , where the asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle is configured to form a continuous phase in a Winsor III type system comprising an oil phase and a water phase.