Entropy-Driven Assembly Behavior of Nanoparticles within Emulsion-Evaporative Block Copolymer Particles
발표자
()
초록
내용
Controlling the spatial alignment of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) within the polymer matrix is of great importance due to its great potential. Herein, we demonstrate the spatial distribution tuning of polystyrene-grafted Au NPs (Au@PS) within lamella forming polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) particles. Spatial distributions of Au@PS showed a strong dependence on the various entropy-related parameters, including the molecular weight ratio between the polymer matrix to the ligand, the core size of Au NPs, the grafting density of Au@PS. The hybrid particles with weak entropic interactions between Au@PS and polymer matrix showed a "crusted onion" structure with Au@PS forming hexagonal packing on the particle surface. In contrast, Au@PS stacked within inner PS domains in hybrid particles with strong entropic interactions. The phenomena will be explained by considering the interdigitations between matrix chains and PS ligands on the Au NP surface.