Synthesis of Nanogels via ARGET ATRP

Nanogels were synthesized via activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP polymerization in an oil/ water emulsion polymerization as previously described by Forbes et al.²⁸ with modifications. Reactants were charged to 4 mL glass vials, sonicated into an emulsion using a 24-tip microtip sonicator probe, and initiated via the addition of excess ascorbic acid under nitrogen. Reactions were stopped via exposure to air and addition of 4 N HCl to a final concentration of 0.5 N. Nanogels were purified via addition of acid and precipitation with a low dielectric solvent (acetone or THF) as described previously.^{25 (link)} Nanogels were collected via centrifugation at 4,000 rcf for 5 min. After the last cycle, nanogels were suspended in ultrapure deionized water and dialyzed against ultrapure deionized water for 3 days and lyophilized.