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Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties
Published on: January 8, 2016
pH- and thermosensitive polyaniline colloidal particles prepared by enzymatic polymerization.
Rodolfo Cruz-Silva1, Layza Arizmendi, Mayela Del-Angel
1Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas (CIICAp), UAEM. Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, CP 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. rcruzsilva@uaem.mx
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 28, 2006
Summary
Enzymatically synthesized polyaniline nanoparticles exhibit environmentally responsive flocculation, offering potential for smart fluid and thermochromic window applications. Their behavior differs from those stabilized by poly(vinyl alcohol).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Polyaniline (PANI) is a conducting polymer with potential applications in various fields.
- Controlling the size and properties of PANI nanoparticles is crucial for their effective utilization.
- Developing environmentally responsive PANI colloids is an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare polyaniline (PANI) colloids using enzymatic polymerization with chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) as steric stabilizers.
- To investigate the environmentally responsive behavior (pH and temperature-induced flocculation) of these PANI colloids.
- To compare the properties of these PANI colloids with those synthesized using poly(vinyl alcohol) as a stabilizer.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic polymerization of aniline using chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) as steric stabilizers.
- Characterization of nanoparticle size using dynamic light scattering.
- Spectroscopic analysis (UV-visible and FTIR) to confirm the structure of polyaniline colloids.
- Investigation of flocculation behavior in response to changes in pH and temperature.
Main Results:
- Polyaniline colloids were successfully prepared via enzymatic polymerization.
- The nanoparticles exhibited flocculation in response to changes in pH and temperature.
- Colloid size varied significantly based on the steric stabilizer used, ranging from 50 nm (chitosan) to 350 nm (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)).
- Spectroscopic data confirmed the formation of polyaniline structures similar to those obtained through traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- Enzymatically synthesized polyaniline colloids using chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) demonstrate environmentally responsive behavior.
- The choice of steric stabilizer critically influences the size of the resulting polyaniline nanoparticles.
- These responsive polyaniline colloids show promise for applications in thermochromic windows and smart fluids.
