A Compositional Window of Kinetic Stability for Amphiphilic Polymers and Colloidal Nanorods

Research areas:
  • Uncategorized
Year: 2011
Type of Publication: Article
Authors:
  • Esther S. Jeng, Paul W. Barone Chih-Jen Shih
Journal: Journal of Physical Chemistry C Volume: 115
Number: 15 Pages: 7164-7170
Month: APR 21 2011
Note:
PT: J; TC: 0; UT: WOS:000289403200003
Abstract:
Amphiphilic polymers are often used to disperse nanoparticles in aqueous solution. Polymer adsorption theory predicts that there exists a narrow compositional range of hydrophobic groups on the polymer chain that allows for kinetic stabilization. Too few groups limit polymer adsorption while too many allow aggregation of polymer-coated nanoparticles for lack of entropic repulsion. we experimentally validate and mathematically describe the existence of this compositional range, and the resulting stability window for the first time using a phenoxy-dextran polymer to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes. The results should provide a theoretical basis for the design of nanoparticle dispersants.