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Upper critical solution temperature polymer assemblies via variable temperature liquid phase transmission electron
Joanna Korpanty1, Cheng Wang2, Nathan C Gianneschi3,4,5
1Department of Chemistry, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
Nature Communications
|June 10, 2023
Summary
Thermally responsive polymer nanoassemblies undergo a phase transition above their upper critical solution temperature. This transition changes their structure from spherical particles to micelles, offering insights into nanomaterial behavior.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Thermally responsive polymers exhibit phase transitions with temperature changes.
- Polymer nanoassemblies are crucial in various applications, requiring a deep understanding of their behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) triggered phase transition of specific polymer nanoassemblies.
- To elucidate the solution-phase dynamics and morphological changes of these thermoresponsive materials.
Main Methods:
- Utilized variable temperature liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (VT-LCTEM).
- Employed variable temperature liquid resonant soft X-ray scattering (VT-LRSoXS).
- Correlated microscopy and scattering techniques with mass spectrometry and modeling.
Main Results:
- Observed a reduction in particle size upon heating above the UCST.
- Identified a morphological transition from spherical core-shell particles to micelles.
- Demonstrated a shift from a multiphase core to a uniform core with surface-attached polymer chains.
Conclusions:
- The study provides mechanistic insight into the UCST phase transition of the studied polymer nanoassemblies.
- Correlative methods offer a powerful approach for studying complex solution-phase nanomaterials.
- A generalizable workflow for analyzing thermoresponsive nanomaterials was established.
