Nanoscale structures and methods of preparation and use

• US 20070009738A1
• Filed: 07/07/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Specialty Coating Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Specialty Coating Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Kumar, Rakesh, Singh, Bawa, Lewis, Brian, Marczi, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,387,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/402.200
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/14 Polymerisation; cross-linking
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/06 Fabrics or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/08 Spheres
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/51 Spheres
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/58 Fabrics or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2984 Microcapsule with fluid core [includes liposome]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 Coated

Abstract

Structures in the nanoscale and mesoscale domain are provided. The structures typically have a shell which can be comprised of a porous polymeric material such as parylene. The surfaces of the shell can further comprise pendant functional groups that can provide reactive or passive characteristics.

Claims

1. A spherical body having an outer diameter of less than about 125 μ

m and comprising a monolithic, polymeric shell enclosing a cavity.

2. The spherical body of claim 1, having an outer diameter of less than about 100 μ

m.

3. The spherical body of claim 2, wherein the shell has an average thickness of less than about 25 μ

m.

4. The spherical body of claim 3, wherein the shell comprises at least one pendant moiety on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof.

5. The spherical body of claim 4, wherein the at least one pendant moiety comprises a functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an amide, an amine, and a chelate.

6. The spherical body of claim 5, wherein the at least one pendant moiety is disposed on at least a portion of an external surface thereof.

7. The spherical body of claim 2, wherein the monolithic, polymeric shell comprises a porous organic polymer.

8. The spherical body of claim 7, wherein the outer diameter is less than about 50 μ

m.

9. The spherical body of claim 8, wherein the outer diameter is less than about 1 μ

m.

10. The spherical body of claim 9, wherein the outer diameter is less than about 100 nm.

11. The spherical body of claim 1, wherein the shell is comprised of a plurality of parylene layers.

12. A method of preparing spherically-shaped body having a porous, monolithic shell comprising acts of:

providing a spherically-shaped particle having an outer diameter of less than about 100 μ

m;

depositing a polymeric precursor material on a surface of the spherically-shaped particle;

polymerizing the precursor material to produce the porous, monolithic shell; and

removing the spherically-shaped particle resulting in a cavity defined by the porous, monolithic shell.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising disposing, on at least a portion of at least one surface of the porous, monolithic shell, at least one chemical moiety.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one chemical moiety comprises at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl, a carboxylic acid, an amide, an amine, and a chelate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the act of depositing the precursor material is performed until a sufficient amount thereof polymerizes to result in the porous, monolithic shell having a thickness of less than about 25 μ

m.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the porous, monolithic shell has an average outer diameter of less than about 125 μ

m.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of removing the spherically-shaped particle comprises dissolving the spherically-shaped particle in a solvent.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of removing the spherically-shaped particle comprises vaporizing the spherically-shaped particle.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the act of depositing the precursor material comprises vapor-phase deposition of the precursor material.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the acts of depositing and polymerizing the polymeric precursor material are repeated to produce the porous, monolithic shell having a plurality of layers of parylene.