title: A facile strategy for controlling the self-assembly of nanocomposite particles based on colloidal steric stabilization theory.
abstract: A heterocoagulation strategy based on colloidal steric stabilization theory has been developed, through which polystyrene (PS) and silica (SiO(2)) particles without any surface modification or functionalization self-assembled rapidly via solution to afford nanocomposite particles with raspberry-like morphology. The formation mechanism is fully studied on the basis of a thermodynamic analysis. The soluble stabilizer and the solvent quality are the main determining factors, which have a significant influence on this self-assembly process and the silica coverage of resultant composites. The relative size of PS to SiO(2) candidates also has the effect of control on the extent of self-assembly. Furthermore, this strategy can be applied to fabricate a broad range of composite materials, including PS/TiO(2), PS/AgI, as well as PS/PS composites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhaoqun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xuanfeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Xiaodan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Gi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xue