Stabilization and Controlled Association of Inorganic Nanoparticles using Block Copolymers
arXiv:cond-mat/0411668 · doi:10.1209/epl/i2004-10338-7
Abstract
We report on the structural properties of mixed aggregates made from rare-earth inorganic nanoparticles (radius 20 Angstroms) and polyelectrolyte-neutral block copolymers in aqueous solutions. Using scattering experiments and Monte Carlo simulations, we show that these mixed aggregates have a hierarchical core-shell microstructure. The core is made of densely packed nanoparticles and it is surrounded by a corona of neutral chains. This microstructure results from a process of controlled association and confers to the hybrid aggregates a remarkable colloidal stability.
14 pages, 5 figures