6533b871fe1ef96bd12d22f8

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Using Janus Nanoparticles To Trap Polymer Blend Morphologies during Solvent-Evaporation-Induced Demixing

Ryan C. HaywardKyle BrysonThomas P. RussellAxel H. E. MüllerAxel H. E. MüllerTina I. Löbling

subject

Materials sciencePolymers and PlasticsOrganic ChemistryJanus particlesInorganic Chemistrychemistry.chemical_compoundAdsorptionChemical engineeringchemistryMonolayerPolymer chemistryMaterials ChemistryParticlePolymer blendPolystyreneMethyl methacrylateTernary operation

description

Using ternary blends of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and Janus particles (JPs) with symmetric PS and PMMA hemispheres, we demonstrate the stabilization of dispersed and bicontinuous phase-separated morphologies by the interfacial adsorption of Janus particles during demixing upon solvent removal. The resulting blend morphology could be varied by changing the blend composition and JP loading. Increasing particle loading decreased the size of phase-separated domains, while altering the mixing ratio of the PS/PMMA homopolymers produced morphologies ranging from PMMA droplets in a PS matrix to PS droplets in a PMMA matrix. Notably, bicontinuous morphologies were obtained at intermediate blend compositions, marking the first report of highly continuous domains obtained through demixing in a polymer blend compatibilized by Janus particles. The JPs were found to assemble in a densely packed monolayer at the interface, allowing for the stabilization of bicontinuous morphologies in films abo...

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2015-06-14Macromolecules
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5b00640