Fabrication and Characterization of Sulfonate‐containing Polystyrene/CaCO3 Core‐shell Nanoparticles

Polystyrene (PSt) seed latex was first prepared via soap‐free emulsion polymerization in the presence of a small amount of methacrylic acid using ammonium persulfate as initiator, and then seeded emulsion polymerization of sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate (NaSS) and St was carried out to synthesize P(St‐NaSS) core latex using 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. After that, P(St‐NaSS)/CaCO₃ core‐shell nanoparticles were fabricated by sequentially introducing Ca(OH)₂ aqueous solution and CO₂ gas into the core latex. The morphology of the core and core‐shell nanoparticles was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the state of CaCO₃ shell was confirmed with high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (HR‐STEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Results showed that PNaSS chains were successfully grafted onto the PSt seed surface, and length of the PNaSS "hairs" could be modulated by adjusting NaSS amount. Sulfonic groups of the PNaSS hairs served as additives in the formation and stabilization of amorphous CaCO₃(ACC) and prevented ACC from sequent transformation into crystalline states. The amount of the anchored CaCO₃ increased with the growth of PNaSS hair length, and reached 51 wt% (by thermalgravimetric analysis) under the optimal encapsulating temperature of 45°C. Moreover, the forming mechanism of P(St‐NaSS)/CaCO₃ core‐shell nanoparticles was proposed.     

A facile route of polythiophene nanoparticles via Fe3+‐catalyzed oxidative polymerization in aqueous medium

We have demonstrated that unsubstituted thiophene can be polymerized by Fe³⁺‐catalyzed oxidative polymerization inside nanosized thiophene monomer droplets, that is, nanoreactors, dispersed in aqueous medium, which can be performed under acidic solution conditions with anionic surfactant. Besides, we proposed a synthetic mechanism for the formation of the unsubstituted polythiophene nanoparticles in aqueous medium. This facile method includes a FeCl₃/H₂O₂ (catalyst/oxidant) combination system, which guarantees a high conversion (ca. 99%) of thiophene monomers with only a trace of FeCl₃. The average particle size was about 30 nm, within a narrow particle‐size distribution (PDI = 1.15), which resulted in a good dispersion state of the unsubstituted polythiophene nanoparticles. Hansen solubility parameters were introduced to interpret the dispersion state of the polythiophene nanoparticles with various organic solvents. The UV–Visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum were measured to investigate the light emitting properties of the prepared unsubstituted polythiophene nanoparticle emulsions. According to non‐normalized PL analysis, the reduced total PL intensity of the polythiophene nanoparticle emulsions can be rationalized by self‐absorption in a wavelength range less than 500 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2097–2107, 2008     

Preparation of poly(styrene‐b‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) micelles surface‐linked with gold nanoparticles and thermo‐responsive ultraviolet–visible absorbance

Poly(styrene‐b‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PSt‐b‐PNIPAM) with dithiobenzoate terminal group was synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation‐transfer polymerization. The dithiobenzoate terminal group was converted into thiol terminal group with NaBH₄, resulting thiol‐terminated PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐SH. After PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐SH assembled into core‐shell micelles in aqueous solution, gold nanoparticles were in situ surface‐linked onto the micelles through the reduction of gold precursor anions with NaBH₄. Thus, temperature responsive core/shell micelles of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM surface‐linked with gold nanoparticles (PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles) were obtained. Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed the successful linkage of gold nanoparticles and the dependence of the number of gold nanoparticles per micelle on the molar ratio of HAuCl₄ to thiol group of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis demonstrated thermo‐responsive behavior of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles. Changing the temperature of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles led to the shrinkage of PNIPAM shell and allowed to tune the distance between gold nanoparticles. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy clearly showed the reversible modulation of UV–vis absorbance of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM‐Au micelles upon heating and cooling. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5156–5163, 2007     

Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/magnetite nanocomposites synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This work describes the preparation and characterization of polypyrrole (PPy)/iron oxide nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles in the crystalline form of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and PPy by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. Two spherical nanoparticles of magnetite, such as 4 and 8 nm, served as cores were first dispersed in an aqueous solution with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form micelle/magnetite spherical templates that avoid the aggregation of magnetite nanoparticles during the further preparation of nanocomposites. The PPy/magnetite nanocomposites were then synthesized on the surface of the spherical templates. Structural and morphological analysis showed that the fabricated PPy/magnetite nanocomposites are core (magnetite)‐shell (PPy) structures. Morphology of the PPy/magnetite nanocomposites containing monodispersed 4‐nm magnetite nanoparticles shows a remarkable change from spherical to tube‐like structures as the content of nanoparticles increases from 12 to 24 wt %. Conductivities of these PPy/magnetite nanocomposites show significant enhancements when compared with those of PPy without magnetite nanoparticles, in particular the conductivities of 36 wt % PPy/magnetite nanocomposites with 4‐nm magnetite nanoparticles are about six times in magnitude higher than those of PPy without magnetite nanocomposites. These results suggest that the tube‐like structures of 36 wt % PPy/magnetite nanocomposites may be served as conducting network to enhance the conductivity of nanocomposites. The magnetic properties of 24 and 36 wt % PPy/magnetitenanocomposites show ferromagnetic behavior and supermagnetism, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1291–1300, 2008     

Preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene) core–shell nanoparticles

Poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene) (PMMA–NBR) core–shell structured nanoparticles were prepared using a two‐stage semibatch microemulsion polymerization system with PMMA and NBR as the core and shell, respectively. The Gemini surfactant 12‐3‐12 was used as the emulsifier and found to impose a pronounced influence on the formation of core–shell nanoparticles. The spherical morphology of core–shell nanoparticles was observed. It was found that there exists an optimal MMA addition amount, which can result in the minimized size of PMMA–NBR core–shell nanoparticles. The formation mechanism of the core–shell structure and the interaction between the core and shell domains was illustrated. The PMMA–NBR nanosize latex can be used as the substrate for the following direct latex hydrogenation catalyzed by Wilkinson's catalyst to prepare the PMMA–HNBR (hydrogenated NBR) core–shell nanoparticles. The hydrogenation rate is rapid. In the absence of any organic solvent, the PMMA–HNBR nanoparticles with a size of 30.6 nm were obtained within 3 h using 0.9 wt % Wilkinson's catalyst at 130 °C under 1000 psi of H₂. This study provides a new perspective in the chemical modification of NBR and shows promise in the realization of a “green” process for the commercial hydrogenation of unsaturated elastomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

One‐stage synthesis of narrowly dispersed polymeric core‐shell microspheres

A method of one‐stage soap‐free emulsion polymerization to synthesize narrowly dispersed core‐shell microspheres is proposed. Following this method, core‐shell microspheres of poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine), poly(styrene‐co‐methyl acrylic acid), and poly[styrene‐co‐2‐(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate‐co‐methyl acrylic acid] are synthesized by one‐stage soap‐free emulsion polymerization of a mixture of one or two hydrophobic monomers and a suitable hydrophilic monomer in water. The effect of the molar ratio of the hydrophobic monomer to the hydrophilic one on the size, the core thickness, and the shell thickness of the core‐shell microspheres is discussed. The molar ratio of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers and the hydrophilicity of the resultant oligomers of the hydrophilic monomer are optimized to synthesize narrowly dispersed core‐shell microspheres. A possible mechanism of one‐stage soap‐free emulsion polymerization to synthesize core‐shell microspheres is suggested and coagglutination of the oligomers of the hydrophilic monomers on the hydrophobic core is considered to be the key to form core‐shell microspheres. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1192–1202, 2008     

Optically active core/shell nanoparticles prepared using self‐assembled polymer micelle as reactive nanoreactor

This article reports on optically active core/shell nanoparticles constituted by chiral helical polymers and prepared by a novel approach: using self‐assembled polymer micelles as reactive nanoreactors. Such core/shell nanoparticles were composed of optically active helical‐substituted polyacetylene as the core and thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) as the shell. The synthetic procedure is divided into three major steps: (1) synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing polymerizable C[tbond]C bonds via atom transfer radical polymerization, followed by (2) self‐assembly of the diblock copolymer to form polymer micelles; and (3) catalytic emulsion polymerization of substituted acetylene monomer conducted using the polymer micelles as reactive nanoreactors leading to the core/shell nanoparticles. The core/shell nanoparticles simultaneously exhibited remarkable optical activity and thermosensitivity. The facile, versatile synthesis methodology opens new approach toward preparing novel multifunctional core/shell nanoparticles.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell‐type polymeric micelles from diblock copolymers via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer

A method was developed to enable the formation of nanoparticles by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The thermoresponsive behavior of polymeric micelles was modified by means of micellar inner cores and an outer shell. Polymeric micelles comprising AB block copolymers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) and poly(2‐hydroxyethylacrylate) (PHEA) or polystyrene (PSt) were prepared. PIPAAm‐b‐PHEA and PIPAAm‐b‐PSt block copolymers formed a core–shell micellar structure after the dialysis of the block copolymer solutions in organic solvents against water at 20 °C. Upon heating above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PIPAAm‐b‐PHEA micelles exhibited an abrupt increase in polarity and an abrupt decrease in rigidity sensed by pyrene. In contrast, PIPAAm‐b‐PSt micelles maintained constant values with lower polarity and higher rigidity than those of PIPAAm‐b‐PHEA micelles over the temperature range of 20–40 °C. Structural deformations produced by the change in the outer polymer shell with temperature cycles through the LCST were proposed for the PHEA core, which possessed a lower glass‐transition temperature (ca. 20 °C) than the LCST of the PIPAAm outer shell (ca. 32.5 °C), whereas the PSt core with a much higher glass‐transition temperature (ca. 100 °C) retained its structure. The nature of the hydrophobic segments composing the micelle inner core offered an important control point for thermoresponsive drug release and the drug activity of the thermoresponsive polymeric micelles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3312–3320, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of monodispersed magnetite coated multi‐walled carbon nanotube/polypyrrole nanocomposites synthesized by in‐situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This study describes the preparation of a nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed 4‐nm iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) coated on the surface of carboxylic acid containing multi‐walled carbon nanotube (c‐MWCNT) and polypyrrole (PPy) by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data indicate that the resulting Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles synthesized using the thermal decomposition are close to spherical dots with a particle size about 4 ± 0.2 nm. The resulting nanoparticles were further mixed with c‐MWCNT in an aqueous solution containing with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form one‐dimensional Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT template for further preparation of nanocomposite. Structural and morphological analysis using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and XRD showed that the fabricated Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT/PPy nanocomposites are one‐dimensional core (Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT)‐shell (PPy) structures. The conductivities of these Fe₃O₄ coated c‐MWCNT/PPy nanocomposites are about four times higher than those of pure PPy matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 727–733, 2008     

Study on the preparation and the self‐assembly of poly(propyleneimine)–poly(styrene) nanoparticles

Using 2‐chloropropionamide derivative of poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer DAB‐dendr‐(NH₂)₃₂ (DAB‐32‐Cl) as the macroinitiator, atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene was successfully carried out in DMF medium. The monodisperse poly(propyleneimine)–polystyrene (dendrimer–PSt) particles with diameters smaller than 100 nm could be prepared. The morphology, size, and size distribution of the dendrimer–PSt particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The effects of reaction temperature, the ratio of St/macroinitiator, and reaction time on the size, and size distribution of the dendrimer–PSt nanoparticles were investigated. In a selective solvent (DMF/H₂O), polymers can self‐assemble into different aggregate configurations such as regular microsphere and wire‐like thread. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2658–2666, 2008     

Surface modification of polystyrene latex particles via atom transfer radical polymerization

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique using the copper halide/ N,N′,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine complex was applied to the graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate on the uniform polystyrene (PS) seed particles and formed novel core‐shell particles. The core was submicron crosslinked PS particles that were prepared via emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization. The crosslinked PS particles obtained were transferred into the organic phase (tetrahydrofuran), and surface modification using the chloromethylation method was performed. Then, the modified seed PS particles were used to initiate ATRP to prepare a controlled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) shell. The final core‐shell particles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elementary analysis. The grafting polymerization was conducted successfully on the surface of modified crosslinked PS particles, and the shell thickness and weight ratio (PMMA and PMA) of the particles were calculated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 892–900, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10160     

Synthesis and micellization of PSt‐PNIPAM‐PDMAEMA hetero‐arm star polymer with double thermo‐responsibility

A hetero‐arm star polymer, polystyrene‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐ poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate) (PSt‐PNIPAM‐PDMAEMA), was synthesized by “clicking” the alkyne group at the junction of PSt‐b‐PNIPAM diblock copolymer onto the azide end‐group of PDMAEMA homopolymer via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. The resultant polymer was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. PSt‐PNIPAM‐PDMAEMA micelles with PSt block as core and PNIPAM and PDMAEMA blocks as shell were formed when adding the copolymer solution in THF into 10 folds of water. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM and PDMAEMA homopolymer is 32 °C for PNIPAM and 40 to 50 °C for PDMAEMA, respectively. Upon continuous heating through their LCSTs, PSt‐PNIPAM‐PDMAEMA core‐shell micelles exhibited two‐stage thermally induced collapse. The first‐stage collapse, from 20 to 34 °C, is ascribed to the shrinkage of PNIPAM chains; and the second‐stage collapse, from 38 to 50 °C, is due to the shrinkage of PDMAEMA chains. Dynamic light scattering was used to confirm the double phase transitions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 786–796, 2009     

Novel method for the preparation of core-shell nanoparticles with movable Ag core and polystyrene loop shell

Core/shell nanoparticles with movable silver (Ag) core and polystyrene (PSt) shell (Ag@PSt nanoparticle) were successfully synthesized at room temperature and under ambient pressure via two steps: γ-irradiation and interfacial-initiated polymerization. Firstly, mono-dispersed Ag nanoparticles with diameters 20 nm were synthesized in inversed microemulsion by reducing silver nitrate under γ-irradiation. Then, Ag nanoparticles were coated with PSt via interfacial-initiated polymerization with cumene hydroperoxide/ferrous sulfate/disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate/sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (CHPO-Fe²⁺-EDTA-SFS) as the redox initiation pair. The resulted Ag@PSt nanoparticles were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

Encapsulation of silica nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization

Hybrid silica/polystyrene nanoparticles were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. With the objective to prepare core‐shell hybrid nanoparticles having narrow particle size distributions (PSDs) as well as a high degree of silica encapsulation, the effect of adding surface modifiers, the size of silica nanoparticles, the ratio styrene/silica, the surfactant concentration, and the presence of ethanol in the reaction mixture were studied. A synergistic effect was observed using oleic acid (OA) together with 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM) in the compatibilization step between the organic phase (monomer) and inorganic nanoparticles (silica). Mono and multinuclear eccentric core‐shell hybrid nanoparticles were obtained. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 935–948, 2009     

具有光谱可调、高量子产率和稳定性的水溶性CdTe/Cd(OH)2核壳结构纳米粒子的可控水相合成

建立了一种简便的、以易得的无机盐为反应前体的水相法制备水溶性、高量子产率以及良好稳定性的CdTe/Cd(OH)2核壳结构量子点。本方法可以通过控制Cd(OH)2 壳层结构的厚度,使不同粒径量子点的荧光发射光谱由蓝绿色渐变到橙红色。利用透射电镜、X射线粉末衍射光谱、荧光光谱以及紫外可见光谱对该CdTe/Cd(OH)2核壳结构量子点进行了表征。CdTe/Cd(OH)2核壳结构量子点所具备的良好的水溶性可望应用于生物标记。本方法简便、反应条件温和并且容易操作,为无机金属化物包覆量子点提供了一种简便的途径。     

ATRP synthesis and association properties of thermoresponsive anionic block copolymers

Thermosensitive anionic block copolymers of sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) with different block lengths were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Controlled polymerization was achieved by using ethyl 2‐chloropropionate (ECP) as initiator and CuCl/CuCl₂/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me₆TREN) catalytic system in DMF:water 50:50 (v/v) mixtures at 20 °C. Blocks lengths ranging from 36 to 98 repeating units were obtained. The association properties in aqueous solutions at different NaCl ionic strengths were studied as a function of temperature and polymer concentration by dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, and energy‐filtered transmission electron microscopy. The block copolymers with a higher pNIPAAM/pAMPS ratio formed spherical core‐shell type micelles independently of the ionic strength. The block copolymers with lower pNIPAAM/pAMPS ratio formed core‐shell type micelles at high ionic strength. Larger particles were observed at low ionic strength, which could be due to the formation of vesicles or compound micelles/micellar clusters. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4830–4842, 2008     

Core‐shell structured poly(glycidyl methacrylate)/BaTiO3 nanocomposites prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization: A novel material for high energy density dielectric storage

Core‐shell structured barium titanate‐poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (BaTiO₃‐PGMA) nanocomposites were prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of GMA from the surface of BaTiO₃ nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the grafting of the PGMA shell on the surface of the BaTiO₃ nanoparticles cores. Transmission Electron Microscopy results revealed that BaTiO₃ nanoparticles are covered by thin brushes (～20 nm) of PGMA forming a core‐shell structure and thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the grafted BaTiO₃‐PGMA nanoparticles consist of ～13.7% PGMA by weight. Upon incorporating these grafted nanoparticles into 20 μm‐thick films, the resultant BaTiO₃‐PGMA nanocomposites have shown an improved dielectric constant (ε = 54), a high breakdown field strength (～3 MV/cm) and high‐energy storage density ～21.51 J/cm³. AC conductivity measurements were in good agreement with Jonscher's universal power law and low leakage current behavior was observed before the electrical breakdown field of the films. Improved dielectric and electrical properties of core‐shell structured BaTiO₃‐PGMA nanocomposite were attributed to good nanoparticle dispersion and enhanced interfacial polarization. Furthermore, only the surface grafted BaTiO₃ yielded homogenous films that were mechanically stable. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 719–728     

A versatile surfactant‐mediated synthetic route to gold/polyaniline derivative core/shell nanocomposites

This article describes a versatile two‐step method for gold/polyaniline derivative core/shell nanocomposites with the aid of nonionic surfactant F127. First, F127 and monomer were introduced to gold colloids followed by the addition of oxidant to initiate the polymerization of monomer to afford a conducting polymer shell around each gold nanoparticle. Experimental parameters, such as kinds and concentrations of surfactant and monomer, gold core size and shape, reaction time, were systematically investigated to disclose the underground mechanisms involved in the formation of gold/polymer core/shell nanocomposites. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the gold/polymer core/shell nanocomposites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3903–3912, 2010     

pH‐responsive polymer core–shell nanospheres for drug delivery

Stimuli‐responsive polymer nanoparticles are playing an increasingly more important role in drug delivery applications. However, limited knowledge has been accumulated about processes which use stimuli‐responsive polymer nanospheres (matrix nanoparticles whose entire mass is solid) to carry and deliver hydrophobic therapeutics in aqueous solution. In this research, pyrene was selected as a model hydrophobic drug and a pyrene‐loaded core‐shell structured nanosphere named poly(DEAEMA)‐poly(PEGMA) was designed as a drug carrier where DEAEMA and PEGMA represent 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, respectively. The pyrene‐loaded core‐shell nanospheres were prepared via an in situ two‐step semibatch emulsion polymerization method. The particle size of the core‐shell nanosphere can be well controlled through adjusting the level of surfactant used in the polymerization where an average particle diameter of below 100 nm was readily achieved. The surfactant was removed via a dialysis operation after polymerization. Egg lecithin vesicles (liposome) were prepared to mimic the membrane of a cell and to receive the released pyrene from the nanosphere carriers. The in vitro release profiles of pyrene toward different pH liposome vesicles were recorded as a function of time at 37 °C. It was found that release of pyrene from the core‐shell polymer matrix can be triggered by a change in the environmental pH. In particular the pyrene‐loaded nanospheres are capable of responding to a narrow window of pH change from pH = 5, 6, to 7 and can achieve a significant pyrene release of above 80% within 90 h. The rate of release increased with a decrease in pH. A first‐order kinetic model was proposed to describe the rate of release with respect to the concentration of pyrene in the polymer matrix. The first‐order rate constant of release k was thus determined as 0.049 h^?1 for pH = 5; 0.043 h^?1 for pH = 6; and 0.035 h^?1 for pH = 7 at 37 °C. The release of pyrene was considered to follow a diffusion‐controlled mechanism. The synthesis and encapsulation process developed herein provides a new approach to prepare smart nanoparticles for efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4440–4450