(520b) Block Copolymer - Nanoparticle Co-Assembly Facilitated by Solvents

The spatial arrangement of nanoparticles in polymer matrices can result in interesting hybrid nanocomposite materials.  Block copolymers provide self-assembled systems with great versatility as to the types of nanostructures formed and the conditions under which they are stable.  We are exploring the interplay between block copolymer organization and nanoparticle surface properties as affected by the solvents present.  We discuss here systems of silica nanoparticles dispersed in micellar solutions and lyotropic liquid crystalline phases formed by poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers (Pluronics) in water and its mixtures with polar organic solvents.  We report on the effects of nanoparticle surface chemistry, size, and loading on the block copolymer organization.

The spatial arrangement of nanoparticles in polymer matrices can result in interesting hybrid nanocomposite materials.  Block copolymers provide self-assembled systems with great versatility as to the types of nanostructures formed and the conditions under which they are stable.  We are exploring the interplay between block copolymer organization and nanoparticle surface properties as affected by the solvents present.  We discuss here systems of silica nanoparticles dispersed in micellar solutions and lyotropic liquid crystalline phases formed by poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers (Pluronics) in water and its mixtures with polar organic solvents.  We report on the effects of nanoparticle surface chemistry, size, and loading on the block copolymer organization.