Spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) studies of diblock copolymer nanoparticles

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

Dokumenter

  • Gregory N Smith
  • Victoria Cunningham
  • Sarah Canning
  • Matthew J Derry
  • Jos Cooper
  • Adam Washington
  • Steven P Armes
Poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)–poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PGMA–PBzMA) diblock copolymer nanoparticles were synthesized via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) using reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) aqueous emulsion polymerization in D2O. Such PISA syntheses produce sterically-stabilized nanoparticles in situ and can be performed at relatively high copolymer concentrations (up to 50 wt. %). This PGMA–PBzMA formulation is known to form only spherical nanoparticles in water using aqueous emulsion polymerization Macromolecule, 2014, 47, 5613–5623), which makes it an ideal model system for exploring new characterization methods. The polymer micelles were characterized using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and a recently developed form of neutron scattering, spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS). As far as we are aware, this is the first report of a study of polymer micelles by SESANS, and the data agree well with reciprocal space scattering. Using this technique enables characterization of the concentrated, as synthesized dispersions directly without dilution, and this will provide a method to study self-assembled polymer systems that have concentration dependent morphologies, while still maintaining the advantages of scattering techniques.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSoft Matter
Vol/bind15
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)17-21
Antal sider5
ISSN1744-683X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2019
Eksternt udgivetJa

ID: 209568711