Thermoresponsive nanoparticles are promising smart materials for many applications. However, a rational design for applications requires a deeper understanding and experimental verification of the various parameters that influence the thermoresponsiveness of the spherical polymer brushes that define most of such nanomaterials. Therefore, we investigate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) grafted with poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (6⁻33 kg mol-1) by temperature-cycled dynamic light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. The grafting of dense spherical polymer brushes leads to lower aggregation temperatures and transition enthalpies when compared with the free polymer. The transition enthalpy and temperature depend on the polymer shell size and structure. The addition of kosmotropic salts decreases the aggregation temperature following the Hofmeister series.
Keywords: Hofmeister series; dynamic light scattering (DLS); dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC); lower critical solution temperature (LCST); poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline); reversible nanoparticle aggregation; spherical polymer brush; superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION); thermoresponsive polymer.