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Microvesicles through self-assembly of polystyrene-clay nanocomposite
Bindu P Nair1, Chorappan Pavithran, Janardhanannair D Sudha
1Materials and Minerals Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Thiruvananthapuram 695019, India.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 19, 2009
Summary
Polystyrene-clay nanocomposite particles self-assemble into microvesicles in solution. These vesicles can encapsulate guest molecules, offering potential for controlled delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Self-assembly is a crucial phenomenon in creating complex nanostructures.
- Clay nanocomposites offer unique properties due to their layered structure.
- Controlling the morphology of nanoparticles is key for targeted applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize polystyrene-clay nanocomposite (PCN) particles.
- To investigate the concentration-dependent self-assembly behavior of PCN particles.
- To explore the formation of microvesicles and their potential for guest encapsulation.
Main Methods:
- In situ intercalative polymerization of styrene with vinyl POSS amine-modified organoclay.
- Synthesis of PCN particles in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at varying concentrations.
- Characterization of particle morphology and self-assembly using microscopy and dimensional analysis.
Main Results:
- PCN particles synthesized via intercalative polymerization.
- Dilute solutions (0.001 mg mL(-1)) yielded particles (190-800 nm lateral dimension, 120 nm thickness).
- Higher concentrations (2.5 mg mL(-1)) formed microvesicles (2.5-3.5 µm diameter, 85 nm membrane thickness) through particle consumption and edge-edge association of silicate layers.
- A sandwich structure with a PS-POSS-intercalated clay tactoid core and growing PS chains was observed.
- Guest molecules could be encapsulated within the vesicles.
Conclusions:
- Polystyrene-clay nanocomposite particles exhibit concentration-dependent self-assembly.
- Microvesicles formed from PCN particles possess a unique structure suitable for encapsulation.
- The ability to form guest-encapsulated vesicles highlights potential applications in drug delivery and controlled release.
