A Novel Approach to Functionalized Nanoparticles: Self-Crosslinking of Macromolecules in Ultradilute Solution

The intermolecular self-crosslinking of functionalized macromolecules under ultra-dilute conditions (see Figure) provides a versatile approach to the preparation of nanoparticles with very small sizes. The size and the chemical nature of the particles are easily controlled and the use of particles produced in this way in the generation of nanoporous thin films where the particles act as sacrificial porogens has been demonstrated.