Polymer-induced recovery of nanoparticles from microemulsions.
A new isothermal approach to the recovery of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) is demonstrated. The NPs can be incorporated into a background microemulsion (ME) supporting fluid, and they can be recovered by addition of non-adsorbing polymer. A clean liquid-liquid (L-L) phase transition can be readily induced by addition of polymer to the MEs. Furthermore, the L-L transitions are also observed in the presence of added NPs, but now the nanoparticles concentrate in the lower co-existing ME phases. Once recovered, the NPs can be redispersed by adding extra ME as a solvent.
Myakonkaya
Olesya
O
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.
Eastoe
Julian
J
Mutch
Kevin J
KJ
Grillo
Isabelle
I
D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D044367:Phase Transition; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle
D004655:Emulsions; D011108:Polymers