Conformation of intramolecularly cross-linked polymer nanoparticles on solid substrates.
The conformation of cross-linked, monomolecular, polystyrene nanoparticles on a solid substrate is considered as a function of cross-linking degree and substrate surface free energy. It is found that an extreme amount of cross-linking is necessary for the ca. 5-10 nm diameter nanoparticles to retain their original spherical shape, regardless of surface free energy. A lesser amount of cross-linking produces a nanoparticle that collapses to a pancake-like conformation on a high-energy substrate yet remains spherical on a low-energy surface. A simple model is developed to reveal the relationship between nanoparticle modulus and surface free energy to define the nanoparticle conformation.
Dukette
Tiffany E
TE
Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Mackay
Michael E
ME
Van Horn
Brooke
B
Wooley
Karen L
KL
Drockenmuller
Eric
E
Malkoch
Michael
M
Hawker
Craig J
CJ