title: Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation analysis of water suspensions of polymer nanofibers synthesized via RAFT-mediated emulsion polymerization.
abstract: The aim of this work is to present a method based on asymmetric flow-field-flow-fractionation coupled on-line to a static light scattering (AF4-UV-SLS) detector to characterize self-assembled nanofibers (NFs). The method developed herein allows the determination of both the length distribution of the NFs as well as the distribution in terms of aggregation number per unit length (Agg). Given the remaining synthetic challenges of better controlling the structural homogeneity and particle dimensions, the NF length and aggregation number per unit length are becoming essential for the improvement and control of their chemical processes and a better understanding of their properties. The results obtained with this AF4-UV-SLS method indicate that a well-resolved NF length distribution characterization and Agg determination were attained. These results provide critical information concerning the physical properties of the investigated NFs and open the door to the characterization of new self-assembled polymers with various asymmetrical architectures.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Material Measurement Science Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, 20899 MD, USA.
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gigault
authors.affiliation: C2P2 (Chemistry, Catalysis, Polymers & Processes), CNRS, UMR 5265, CPE Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Team LCPP Bat 308 F, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, 69616 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique BioInorganique et Environnement, UMR IPREM 5254 UPPA/CNRS-Technopole Hélioparc, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA), Av. du Président Angot, 64053 Pau cedex, France.
authors.forename: Gaetane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lespes
authors.affiliation: C2P2 (Chemistry, Catalysis, Polymers & Processes), CNRS, UMR 5265, CPE Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Team LCPP Bat 308 F, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, 69616 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Charleux
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique BioInorganique et Environnement, UMR IPREM 5254 UPPA/CNRS-Technopole Hélioparc, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA), Av. du Président Angot, 64053 Pau cedex, France. Electronic address: bruno.grassl@univ-pau.fr.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grassl
mesh_terms: D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013535:Suspensions / Q000032:analysis*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D011108:Polymers; D013535:Suspensions; D014867:Water
keywords: Aggregation; Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation; Controlled/living radical polymerization; Length; Nanofiber