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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
Preparation of polymer/poly(ionic liquid) composite particles by seeded dispersion polymerization
Masayoshi Tokuda1, Tatsunori Shindo, Hideto Minami
1Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University , Kobe 657-8501, Japan.
Polymerization of ionic liquids using poly(methyl methacrylate) seeds successfully created composite particles with a sea-island structure. Polystyrene seeds, however, resulted in secondary nucleation rather than composite formation.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Seeded dispersion polymerization is a method for synthesizing polymer particles with controlled morphology.
- Ionic liquids offer unique properties for advanced material applications.
- Understanding interfacial phenomena is crucial for designing composite polymer particles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synthesis of poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) composite particles via seeded dispersion polymerization.
- To evaluate the influence of different seed particles (polystyrene vs. poly(methyl methacrylate)) on the polymerization outcome.
- To characterize the morphology and structure of the resulting composite particles.
Main Methods:
- Seeded dispersion polymerization of [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([MTMA][TFSA]) in ethanol.
- Utilized polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles as seed materials.
- Characterized particle morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Main Results:
- Polymerization with PS seeds led to secondary nucleation of PIL particles, not PS/PIL composites.
- Polymerization with PMMA seeds resulted in successful formation of PMMA/PIL composite particles, indicated by particle size increase.
- TEM analysis revealed a sea-island structure in PMMA/PIL particles, with PIL domains forming the 'islands' within a PMMA 'sea'.
Conclusions:
- The choice of seed particle significantly impacts the outcome of seeded dispersion polymerization of ionic liquids.
- PMMA seeds are effective for creating PMMA/PIL composite particles with a distinct sea-island morphology.
- The observed structures align with theoretical predictions based on interfacial tension and spreading coefficients.
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