Synthesis and properties of highly dispersed ionic silica-poly(ethylene oxide) nanohybrids.
We report an ionic hybrid based on silica nanoparticles as the anion and amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a cation. The charge on the nanoparticle anion is carried by the surface hydroxyls. SAXS and TEM reveal an exceptional degree of dispersion of the silica in the polymer and high degree of order in both thin film and bulk forms. In addition to better dispersion, the ionic hybrid shows improved flow characteristics compared to silica/PEO mixtures in which the ionic interactions are absent.
School of Applied Engineering and Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Nikhil J
NJ
Fernandes
Johanna
J
Akbarzadeh
Herwig
H
Peterlik
Emmanuel P
EP
Giannelis