Formation of hydrophobized inorganic nanoparticles in the presence of amphiphilic copolymers: A new approach to surface functionalized nanosized inorganic materials for nanocomposites

PMSE 496

Markus Klapper, klapper@mpip-mainz.mpg.de1, Victor Khrenov, khrenov@mpip-mainz.mpg.de2, Florian Schwager2, Matthias Koch3, and Klaus Müllen, muellen@mpip-mainz.mpg.de1. (1) Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany, (2) Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany, (3) Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
The preparation of hydrophobic inorganic nanoparticles via a sol-gel process in the presence of amphiphilic polymers is described. Using an inverse emulsion technique and amphiphilic statistical copolymers as stabilizers a broad variety of nanosized inorganic materials can be prepared, such as metal oxides, chalcogenides, carbonates or free metals. The amphiphilic polymers serve not only as surface active compounds in the emulsion but hydrophobize the inorganic particles as they remain adsorbed on the surface after the sol-gel process. Due to this surface functionalization all synthesized nanoparticles are readily redispersable in hydrophobic solvents such as toluene. The presence of the adsorbed polymer layer on the particle surface facilitates the homogeneous incorporation of such particles in various polymers to achieve transparent nanocomposites.
 

General Papers/New Concepts in Polymeric Materials
1:15 PM-5:25 PM, Wednesday, 31 August 2005 Grand Hyatt -- Franklin Square, Oral

Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering

The 230th ACS National Meeting, in Washington, DC, Aug 28-Sept 1, 2005