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A Tripeptide-Stabilized Nanoemulsion of Oleic Acid
Published on: February 27, 2019
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Diffuse polymer interfaces in lobed nanoemulsions preserved in aqueous media
Ginam Kim1, Alioscka Sousa, Deborah Meyers
1Dow Corning Corporation, Science and Technology, Midland, Michigan 48640, USA. g.kim@dowcorning.com
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 18, 2006
Summary
Researchers discovered that polymer interfaces in nanocolloids are diffuse due to kinetic trapping, not equilibrium. This finding offers new ways to control polymer nanostructure interfaces during synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polymer nanostructures often exhibit distinct interfaces.
- Equilibrium thermodynamics predict sharp interfaces on the nanometer scale for immiscible polymers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature of the polymer-polymer interface in two-phase nanocolloids.
- To understand the factors influencing interface formation in multicomponent polymeric nanostructures.
Main Methods:
- Cryo-scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)
- Valence electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS)
Main Results:
- The polymer-polymer interface in polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) and copolymer (methyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-vinyl acetate) nanocolloids was observed to be diffuse.
- This diffuse interface deviates from predictions based on equilibrium thermodynamics.
- Kinetic trapping of the copolymer within the PDMS phase was identified as the cause of the diffuse interface.
Conclusions:
- Non-equilibrium pathways can lead to diffuse polymer interfaces in nanocolloids.
- Kinetic trapping offers a mechanism to control interfacial properties in multicomponent polymer systems.
- Findings suggest novel strategies for synthesizing polymeric nanostructures with tailored interfaces.
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