Effect of particle surface selectivity on composite nanostructures in nanoparticle/diblock copolymer mixture dilute solution

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2011-11, Vol.363 (1), p.241-249
• Main Authors: Ma, Zengwei, Li, Robert K.Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composite nanostructures; Copolymers; Diblock copolymer; Dilute solution; Dilution; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; HPF method; Micelle; Micelles; Micelles. Thin films; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Particle surface selectivity; Particulate composites; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Selectivity; Thermodynamic properties
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2011.07.008

Free energy variations in two kinds of composite systems. [Display omitted] ► Different thermodynamic properties are observed in two kinds of composite systems. ► Particle surface selectivity can affect particle distribution in various micelles. ► Many interesting composite microstructures are formed in the composite systems. In this study the phase behavior of nanoparticle/diblock copolymer composites in dilute solution has been investigated by the hybrid particle-field (HPF) method. We focus on the influence of particle surface selectivity (i.e. hydrophobic and hydrophilic) on the distribution of nanoparticles in the micelles formed by the diblock copolymers. These two types of particle surface selectivity are simulated systematically. The different competition between the energy from enthalpy and the energy from entropy has been observed in the two kinds of composite systems. Our simulation results show that the particle surface selectivity is a crucial factor for determining the thermodynamic properties in the complex dilute solution, and the morphologies of micelles are controlled by the volume fraction of the nanoparticles. The change of particle distribution in various micelles enriches the composite microstructures that can be formed by nanoparticle and diblock copolymer.