LAUSR

We introduce herein a simple model of covalent-bonded single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) by considering these intrachain cross-linked nano-objects as elastic unimolecular networks. According to this model, each SCNP is regarded as a network of elastic strands connected by cross-links. The free energy of the SCNP is decomposed in two contributions: (i) an elastic free energy due to the presence of these strands and (ii) an excluded volume contribution arising from the balance of monomer–monomer and monomer–solvent interactions. We provide scaling law expressions for the size (R), diffusion coefficient (D), apparent molar mass (Mapp), and shrinking factor (⟨G⟩) of elastic SCNPs in good, theta, and bad solvents. Also, we derive scaling laws for the height (H) of elastic SCNPs deposited on both low- and high-surface free energy substrates. A comparison of experimental results to model predictions for covalent-bonded polystyrene SCNPs in solution of narrow molecular weight distribution (1.09 ≤ Đ ≤ 1.26), diffe...