title: Polymer-nanoparticle complexes: from dilute solution to solid state.
abstract: We report on the formation and the structural properties of "supermicellar" aggregates made from mineral nanoparticles and polyelectrolyte-neutral block copolymers in aqueous solutions. The mineral particles put under scrutiny are ultrafine and positively charged yttrium hydroxyacetate nanoparticles. Combining light, neutron, and X-ray scattering experiments, we have characterized the sizes and the aggregation numbers of the organic-inorganic complexes. We have found that the hybrid aggregates have typical sizes in the range of 100 nm and exhibit a remarkable colloidal stability with respect to ionic strength and concentration variations. Solid films with thicknesses up to several hundreds of micrometers were cast from solutions, resulting in a bulk polymer matrix in which nanoparticle clusters are dispersed and immobilized. It was found in addition that the structure of the complexes remains practically unchanged during film casting.
authors.affiliation: Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR CNRS no. 7057, Université Denis Diderot Paris-VII, 140 rue de Lourmel, 75015 Paris, France. jean-francois.berret@paris7.jussieu.fr
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Berret
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokota
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morvan
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schweins
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D004573:Electrolytes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007477:Ions; D008823:Micelles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014965:X-Rays; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D003102:Colloids; D004573:Electrolytes; D007477:Ions; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D015019:Yttrium