Determination of chlorobenzenes in pure,tap, and sea water by static headspace gas chromatography‐electron capture detection

A simple, efficient, solvent‐free, and commercial readily available approach for determination of 11 chlorobenzenes (CBs) in water samples using the static headspace (HS) sampling and gas chromatography‐electron capture detector has been described. The proposed static HS sampling method was initially optimized and the optimum experimental conditions found were 10 mL water sample containing 20% (w/v) sodium chloride placed in a 20 mL vial and stirred at 70°C for 30 min. The linearity of the method ranged from 0.16 to 8.0 μg/L for dichlorobenzene isomers, 0.0176～0.88 μg/L for trichlorobenzene isomers, 0.004～0.2 μg/L for tetrachlorobenzene isomers, and from 0.001 to 0.05 μg/L for pentachlorobenzene and hexachlorobenzene, with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.9992 and 0.9999. The limits of detection were in the low μg/L level, ranging between 0.0002 and 0.04 μg/L. The relative recoveries of spiked CBs with external calibration or standard addition method at different concentration levels in pure, tap, and sea water samples were 83～116%, 89～108%, and 93～112%, respectively, and with relative standard deviations of 1.9～6.3%, 1.6～5.4%, and 2.5～5.7% (n = 5), respectively. It is concluded that this method can be successfully applied for the determination of CBs in pure, tap, and sea water samples.     

Preparation and characterization of temperature‐ and pH‐responsive diblock copolymers and their silica‐coated nanoparticles

Multiresponsive amphiphilic poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PDMAEMA‐b‐PNIPAM) was successfully synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) has thermal and pH stimuli responsiveness. Their lower critical solution temperature and hydrodynamic radius can be adjusted by varying the copolymer composition, block length, solution pH, and temperature. In addition, a convenient method has been established to prepare cross‐linked silica‐coated nanoparticles with PDMAEMA‐b‐PNIPAM micelles as a template, resulting in good organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles defined as 175 to 220 nm. The structure and morphology were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (₁HNMR), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and transmission electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (TEM‐EDS).     

Hydrazide functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for specific extraction of N‐terminal serine and threonine peptides

In this study, we present hydrazide functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a sorbent prepared by a new and facile method. Scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared were used for characterizing the synthesized nanoparticles. The ability of the sorbent to extract N‐terminal serine and threonine peptides was evaluated. The peptides were modified by oxidation of the hydroxyl group in the 1,2‐amino alcohol structure before extraction. These aldehyde‐forms of peptides were specifically bonded to the hydrazide groups of the sorbent. The formed hydrazone bonds were cleaved in the presence of hydroxylamine reagent. Finally, the oximated peptides were released and quantified with a high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array spectroscopy. The effects of experimental parameters including extraction time, elution time and elution volume on extraction efficiency were also investigated. The required time for the extraction process to reach equilibrium and elution time was only 8 h. The adsorption efficiency of the sorbent was 79 and 77% for peptides with N‐terminal serine and threonine, respectively. The sorbent showed good specificity for extracting the peptides. In addition, the extraction efficiency of the sorbent remained constant in the presence of a non‐N‐terminal serine and threonine peptide as interference.     

Selective extraction of berberine from Cortex Phellodendri using polydopamine‐coated magnetic nanoparticles

A new extraction agent featuring dopamine self‐polymerized on magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles has been successfully synthesized and evaluated for the SPE of berberine from the extract of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Cortex Phellodendri. The nanoparticles prepared possessed a core–shell structure and showed super‐paramagnetism. It was found that these polydopamine‐coated nanoparticles exhibited strong and selective adsorption for berberine. Among the chemical components present in C. Phellodendri, only berberine was adsorbed by the nanoparticles and extracted by a following SPE procedure. Various conditions such as the amount of polydopamine‐coated nanoparticles, desorption solvent, desorption time and equilibrium time were optimized for the SPE of berberine. The purity of berberine extracted from C. Phellodendri was determined to be as high as 91.3% compared with that of 9.5% in the extract. The established SPE protocol combined advantages of highly selective enrichment with easy magnetic separation, and proved to be a facile efficient procedure for the isolation of berberine. Further, the prepared polydopamine‐coated magnetic nanoparticles could be reused for multiple times, reducing operational cost. The applicability and reliability of the developed SPE method were demonstrated by isolating berberine from three different C. Phellodendri extracts. Recoveries of 85.4–111.2% were obtained with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.27–2.05%.     

Headspace sorptive extraction using silicone tubes for the determination of chlorobenzenes in water

A new approach for headspace sorptive extraction is presented and demonstrated for the determination of 12 chlorobenzenes in water samples. It consists of a silicone tube (15-mm length) arranged around a stainless steel rod. This device is fixed on a septum cap and exposed to the headspace of 50 mL of a salt-saturated water sample. After extraction (60-min optimized extraction time), thermodesorption is carried out by direct insertion of the silicone tube into the thermodesorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Desorption of the analytes is performed at 250 °C for 5 min with a gas flow of 50 mL/min. Repeatability (relative standard deviation 5–10%), extraction yields (9–46%), enrichment factors (129–657), and detection limits (0.002–0.012 μg/L) were determined and four real water samples were analyzed with the headspace tube extraction. The results were verified by standard addition. A comparison of headspace tube extraction with other headspace enrichment techniques underlined the high extraction capacity of the proposed method. A big advantage of tube extraction is the low cost of the silicone material. The tubes can be discarded after single use, avoiding carryover problems and cross-contamination. Figure Scheme of the HS-tube extraction and thermodesorption system     

Chemically functionalized silica nanoparticles‐based solid‐phase extraction for effective pre‐concentration of highly toxic metal ions from food and water samples

In this research study, an efficient solid‐phase extraction procedure based on a new organometallic, effective, eco‐friendly and bio‐degradable nanoadsorbent was firstly introduced for influential pre‐concentration of Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II) ions from food and water samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination. This safe adsorbent consisted of silica nanoparticles chemically functionalized with di‐ethylen tri‐amine (SiO₂@NH₂NPs); easily prepared via an effective and simple approach. Characterization of SiO₂@NH₂NPs was subsequently implemented via SEM, FT‐IR and XRD; certifying high quality of the modified nanoadsorbent in terms of size, shape and surface functional groups. The effects of the main factors on the extraction efficiency were then optimized. Efficient extraction of the analytes of interest at neutral media accompanied with the aid of a bio‐compatible organometallic nanoadsorbent can be considered as valuable advantages of the proposed approach. In the optimum conditions, calibration graphs were linear in the range of 4–700 μg l^?1, with higher correlation coefficients than 0.997 and limits of detection of 1.45–4.10 ng ml^?1. The enrichment factor values were found to be in the span of 120–400. The resultant extraction recovery values were satisfactory; possessing the proper relative standard deviation (%, n  =  5) values of 2.05–4.28%.     

Determination of catecholamines in urine using aminophenylboronic acid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection

A new method was developed for the simultaneous determination of three catecholamines in urine using aminophenylboronic acid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Novel aminophenylboronic acid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by multi‐step covalent modification, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. With the help of the high affinity between the boronate and cis‐diol group, the particles were used for the highly selective separation and enrichment of three major catecholamines, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine. Effects of the pH of the feed solution, the extraction time, the composition of the buffer solution, the amount of the magnetic particles, the elution conditions, and the recycling of aminophenylboronic acid functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were explored. Under the optimized conditions, 13–17‐fold enrichment factors were obtained. The linear ranges were 0.01–2.0 μg/mL for the studied analytes. The limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 2.0–7.9 and 6.7–26.3 ng/mL, respectively. The relative recoveries were in the range of 92–108%, with intraday and interday relative standard deviations lower than 6.8%. This method was successfully applied to analysis of catecholamines in real urine.     

Preparation of novel ionic‐liquid‐modified magnetic nanoparticles by a microwave‐assisted method for sulfonylurea herbicides extraction

Ionic liquids immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by an efficient microwave‐assisted synthesis method, and the properties of the ionic liquids were tuned based on the aromatic functional modification of its anion through a simple metathesis reaction. The novel as‐synthesized magnetic materials were characterized by various instrumental techniques. The magnetic nanoparticles have been utilized as adsorbents for the extraction of four sulfonylurea herbicides in tea samples, in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Significant extraction parameters, including type and volume of desorption solvent, extraction time, amount of adsorbent, and ionic strength were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 1–150 μg/L for metsulfuron‐methyl and bensulfuron‐methyl, and 3–150 μg/L for sulfometuron‐methyl and chlorimuron‐ethyl, with correlation coefficients R² > 0.9987. Low limits of detection were obtained ranging from 0.13 to 0.81 μg/L. The relative standard deviations were 1.8–3.9%. Comparisons of extraction efficiency with conventional solid‐phase extraction equipped with a commercial C₁₈ cartridge were performed. Results indicated that magnetic solid‐phase extraction is simple, time‐saving, efficient and inexpensive with the reusability of adsorbents. The proposed method has been successfully used to determine sulfonylurea herbicides from tea samples with satisfactory recoveries of 80.5–104.2%.     

Separation of α‐lactalbumin grafted‐ and non‐grafted maghemite core/silica shell nanoparticles by capillary zone electrophoresis

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in immunodiagnostics is a challenging task for many reasons, including the need for miniaturization. In view of the development of an assay dedicated to an original, miniaturized and fully automated immunodiagnostics which aims to mimic in vivo interactions, magnetic zwitterionic bifunctional amino/polyethyleneoxide maghemite core/silica shell NPs functionalized with allergenic α‐lactalbumin were characterized by CE. Proper analytical performances were obtained through semi‐permanent capillary coating with didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) or permanent capillary wall modification by hydroxypropylcellulose. The influence of experimental conditions (e.g. buffer component nature, pH, ionic strength, and electric field strength) on sample stability, electrophoretic mobility, and dispersion was investigated using either DDAB‐ or hydroxypropylcellulose‐coated capillaries. Adsorption to the capillary wall and aggregation phenomena were evaluated according to the CE conditions. The proper choice of experimental conditions, i.e. separation under −10 kV in a 25 mM ionic strength MES/NaOH (pH 6.0) with a DDAB‐coated capillary, allowed the separation of the grafted and the non‐grafted NPs.     

Imprinted silica nanoparticles coated with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide for the determination of m‐cresol in synthetic and real samples

m‐Cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles coated with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide have been developed that contain specific pockets for the selective uptake of m‐cresol. Silica nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel process followed by functionalization of their surface with N‐propylsilylmorpholine‐4‐carboxamide. The formation of m‐cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles was confirmed by UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electron microscopic studies revealed the formation of monodispersed imprinted silica nanoparticles with spherical shape and an average size of 83 nm. The developed nanoparticles were filled in a syringe and used for the extraction of m‐cresol from aqueous samples followed by quantification using high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Various adsorption experiments showed that developed m‐cresol‐imprinted silica nanoparticles exhibited a high adsorption capacity and selectivity and offered a fast kinetics for rebinding m‐cresol. The chromatographic quantification was achieved using mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/water (70:30 v/v) at an isocratic flow rate of 1.0 mL/min using a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column and detection at λ_max = 275 nm. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.86 and 22.32 ng/mL, respectively, for the developed method. The percent recoveries ranged from 96.66–103.33% in the spiked samples. This combination of this nanotechnique with molecular imprinting was proved as a reliable, sensitive and selective method for determining the target from synthetic and real samples.     

The use of silica‐coated magnetic graphene microspheres as the adsorbent for the extraction of pyrethroid pesticides from orange and lettuce samples followed by GC–MS analysis

Graphene‐grafted ferroferric oxide microspheres were used as the adsorbent to extract some pyrethroid pesticides (bifenthrin, λ‐cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, and deltamethrin) from orange and lettuce samples prior to their determination by GC–MS. The main variables that could affect the extraction, including the amount of the adsorbent, pH of the sample solution, extraction time, concentration of salt, and desorption conditions, were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a linear response was obtained in the concentration range of 0.3–100.0 ng/g for the analytes with the coefficients of determination ranging from 0.9877 to 0.9925. The LODs for the pyrethroids ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 ng/g. The method provided a good repeatability with RSDs < 10.6%. The recoveries for the six pyrethroid pesticides were in the range from 90.0 to 103.7%. The method was applied to the determination of the pesticides in orange and lettuce samples with a satisfactory result.     

Mixed hemimicelle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction using carbon‐coated magnetic nanoparticles for the determination of tramadol in urine samples

Ionic liquid carbon‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were successfully applied as an adsorbent in a mixed hemimicelle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction method for the determination of tramadol from urine samples coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV‐vis detection. The significant parameters affect the extraction efficiency including type and amount of adsorbent, sample volume, pH, ionic strength, type and amount of elution solvent, time of extraction and desorption, time of ionic liquid loading on the adsorbent and stirring rate were studied and optimized. The proposed method provided a fast, straightforward, environmentally friendly and adsorbent recyclable approach for tramadol analysis. The linear range for the tramadol determination was from 100 to 1500 ng/mL. Precisions and accuracies were within 6%. The applicability of the proposed method in clinical trial was tried successfully on determination of tramadol in addicted subjects under tramadol therapy. The mean percent recovery of the patient samples was 94%. The results proved that the proposed method could be applied in clinical and forensic laboratories for determination of tramadol from biological urine samples.     

Extraction and preconcentration of formaldehyde in water by polypyrrole‐coated magnetic nanoparticles and determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography

In this study, a simple and rapid extraction method based on the application of polypyrrole‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a magnetic solid‐phase extraction sorbent was successfully developed for the extraction and preconcentration of trace amounts of formaldehyde after derivatization with 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine. The analyses were performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography followed by UV detection. Several variables affecting the extraction efficiency of the formaldehyde, i.e., sample pH, amount of sorbent, salt concentration, extraction time and desorption conditions were investigated and optimized. The best working conditions were as follows: sample pH, 5; amount of sorbent, 40 mg; NaCl concentration, 20% w/v; sample volume, 20 mL; extraction time, 12 min; and 100 μL of methanol for desorption of the formaldehyde within 3 min. Under the optimal conditions, the performance of the proposed method was studied in terms of linear dynamic range (10–500 μg/L), correlation coefficient (R² ≥ 0.998), precision (RSD% ≤ 5.5) and limit of detection (4 μg/L). Finally, the developed method was successfully applied for extraction and determination of formaldehyde in tap, rain and tomato water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Synthesis and characterization of sodium polyaspartate‐functionalized silica‐coated magnetite nanoparticles: A heterogeneous,reusable and magnetically separable catalyst for the solvent‐free synthesis of 2‐amino‐4H‐chromene derivatives

An efficient and facile method was used for the synthesis of sodium polyaspartate‐functionalized silica‐coated magnetite nanoparticles. The structure of this nanoparticle was characterized by scanning electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies and vibrating sample magnetometry. Then, this compound was used as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for green synthesis of 2‐amino‐4H‐chromene derivatives via one‐pot three‐component reactions. This novel material showed great catalytic performance and the reactions which were carried out by this catalyst showed good to excellent yields. Besides, the catalyst could easily be separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnetic field and it was stable enough to reuse several times without any significant reduction in the yield of reactions. Eco‐friendliness, high purity of the desired products, short reaction time and easy workup procedure can be mentioned as the other advantages of this method.     

Evaluation of magnetic matrix solid‐phase dispersion for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in water samples by gas chromatography with electron capture detection

A vortex‐assisted magnetic matrix solid‐phase dispersion method was proposed for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in different matrix water samples by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Magnetic bamboo charcoal (MBC) was synthesized for the adsorption of polychlorinated biphenyls in water samples. Complete separation of the liquid phase and the solid magnetic bamboo charcoal was easily achieved by using a permanent magnet. Under the optimized conditions, good linearity in the range of 0.006–5.0 μg/L was obtained with regression coefficients (r) higher than 0.9986. Based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3, limits of detection were found to be 0.001–0.003 μg/L. Relative standard deviations ranged from 2.92 to 6.56%. Relative recoveries were 96.6–111.2% for the spiked wastewater sample and 90.7–104.7% for the spiked lake water sample. All results showed that the proposed method was simple, sensitive, and reliable for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in water samples.     

Solvent‐assisted dispersive micro‐SPE by using aminopropyl‐functionalized magnetite nanoparticle followed by GC‐PID for quantification of parabens in aqueous matrices

In this research, solvent‐assisted dispersive micro‐SPE was introduced as a simple modified technique for the determination of parabens in water and cosmetic samples. Aminopropyl‐functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were successfully synthesized and applied. GC with photoionization detector was used for the separation and detection of parabens. In this method, hexylacetate (15 μL) as a solvent and aminopropyl‐functionalized MNPs (5 μg) as a sorbent were added to an aqueous sample (10 mL) and then the sample was sonicated. Dispersed magnetite was collected in the bottom of the conical tube by using a strong magnet and then ACN was added as a desorption solvent. Forty microliters of this solvent was transferred into a microvial and then acetic anhydride and pyridine were added, thus derivatization was performed by acetic anhydride. After evaporation, 1 μL of derivatized sample was injected into a gas chromatograph for analysis. Several important parameters, such as kind of organic solvent, desorption solvent and volume, amount of aminopropyl‐functionalized MNPs and effect of salt addition were investigated. Under optimum conditions, the limits of detection achieved were between 50 and 300 ng/L, with RSDs (n = 5) lower than 8%. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors ranged from 217 to 1253 and the extraction recoveries ranged from 10 to 62%. The recoveries were obtained for the analytes in river water and mouthwash solution and hand cream in the range of 87–103%. The advantages of proposed method are simplicity of operation, rapidity, high extraction yields, and environmental friendly character.     

Electroless‐coated magnetic three‐dimensional graphene with silver nanoparticles used for the determination of pesticides in fruit samples

A new type of adsorbent composed of magnetic three‐dimensional graphene coated with silver nanoparticles was synthesized by an electroless technique and used in the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of selected pesticides (fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, and hexaconazole) before gas chromatography with a micro‐electron capture detector. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The important extraction parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, extraction time, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the analytical figures of merit were obtained as: linear dynamic range of 0.1–5 ng/g with determination coefficients of 0.991–0.996; limit of detection of 0.07–0.13 ng/g; limit of quantification of 0.242–0.448 ng/g; and the intraday and interday relative standard deviations (C = 5 ng/g, n = 3) were 3.8–8.7 and 6.6–8.9%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for analysis of the selected pesticides in tomato and grape with extraction recoveries in the range of 72.8–109.6%.     

Sulfonic acid-based metal organic framework functionalized magnetic nanocomposite combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detector for extraction and determination of organochlorine

The metal organic framework functionalized with sulfonic acid was combined with magnetic nanoparticles to fabricate a new nanocomposite (denoted as Fe₃O₄@PDA@Zr-SO₃H). By combining with gas chromatography-electron capture detector, the resulting Fe₃O₄@PDA@Zr-SO₃H nanocomposite was successfully used as a high-efficiency adsorbent for pre-concentrating eight organochlorine pesticides from water sample in environment. Apart from the ability of fast separation, the as-prepared Fe₃O₄@PDA@Zr-SO₃H nanocomposite also exhibited high adsorption capacity for organochlorine pesticides. With the use of optimal experimental conditions, the linear relationship can be obtained in the range of 0.05∼300 μg/L, the correlation coefficient was over 0.9978, and the relative standard deviation was located in 2.5%–7.7%. Moreover, the limit of detection and quantification was between 0.005–0.016 μg/L and 0.017∼0.050 μg/L. Finally, the nanocomposite was used for the determination of organochlorine pesticides from environmental water samples, and displayed the recovery of 82%–118%.     

Elaboration of densely functionalized polylactide nanoparticles from N‐acryloxysuccinimide‐based block copolymers

Poly(N‐acryloxysuccinimide) (PNAS) and poly(N‐acryloxysuccinimide‐co‐N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (P(NAS‐co‐NVP)) of adjustable molecular weights and narrow polydispersities were prepared by nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) in N,N‐dimethylformamide in the presence of free SG1 (N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl) nitroxide), with MAMA‐SG1 (N‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐N‐(1‐diethylphosphono‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)‐O‐(2‐carboxylprop‐2‐yl)hydroxylamine) alkoxyamine as initiator. The reactivity ratios of NAS and NVP were determined to be r_NAS = 0.12 and r_NVP = 0, indicating a strong alternating tendency for the P(NAS‐co‐NVP) copolymer. NAS/NVP copolymerization was then performed from a SG1‐functionalized poly(D ,L ‐lactide) (PLA‐SG1) macro‐alkoxyamine as initiator, leading to the corresponding PLA‐b‐P(NAS‐co‐NVP) block copolymer, with similar NAS and NVP reactivity ratios as mentioned above. The copolymer was used as a surface modifier for the PLA diafiltration and nanoprecipitation processes to achieve nanoparticles in the range of 450 and 150 nm, respectively. The presence of the functional/hydrophilic P(NAS‐co‐NVP) block, and particularly the N‐succinimidyl (NS) ester moieties at the particle surface, was evidenced by ethanolamine derivatization and zeta potential measurements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of azide‐functionalized nanoparticles by microemulsion polymerization and surface modification by click chemistry in aqueous medium

Stable translucent aqueous suspensions of azide‐functionalized cross‐linked nanoparticles (NPs), with diameters in the 15–20 nm range, were prepared using two synthetic approaches. Copolymerization of azidomethylstyrene (VBN₃), styrene, and divinylbenzene in various oil‐in‐water microemulsions led to NPs with modulable azide contents (0.53–0.78 mmol/g) and surface over volume distributions. Surface modifications of reactive NPs bearing chlorobenzyl groups, produced by microemulsion copolymerization of vinylbenzylchloride, with sodium azide led to azido‐coated NPs with high densities of peripheral groups (0.13–0.45 mmol/g). It is shown that the nature of the surfactant used for the preparation of the microemulsion has an impact on the incorporation of VBN₃ in the polymer particles as well as on the surface reaction yield. The azide‐functionalized NPs were used as clickable polymeric scaffolds for the grafting of sparingly water‐soluble dansyl and fluorescein derivatives through copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition in water in the presence of surfactants as solubilizing agents to produce fluorescent NPs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012