Nanoparticles from a controlled polymerization process
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 2003
Department
Department of Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Free-radical retrograde precipitation polymerization process in the past has shown excellent control characteristics over reaction rate, molecular weight, and in the entrapment of live radicals for the generation of block copolymers. The same principle has now been extended to study the reaction confinement to a nanoscale region. Nanosized polymer particles have been reported to form from block copolymers, conventional precipitation polymerization methods, or through emulsion polymerization approaches. In this work, we present a new method of generating nanosized polymer particles by polymerizing the monomer in an environment that precipitates the polymer above the lower critical solution temperature. The nanoparticles have been characterized by both tapping-mode atomic force microscopy observations and in situ synchrotron time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering analysis. The results from both the techniques showed the formation of nanoparticles in the size range of 15-30 nm, directly from the polymerization process.
Publication Title
Advances in Polymer Technology
Recommended Citation
Tirumala, V.,
Caneba, G. T.,
Dar, Y.,
Wang, H.,
&
Mancini, D.
(2003).
Nanoparticles from a controlled polymerization process.
Advances in Polymer Technology,
22(2), 126-136.
http://doi.org/10.1002/adv.10043
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/3457