Silica Nanoparticle - Amphiphilic Polymer Interactions in Aqueous Dispersions

We consider colloidal dispersions of silica nanoparticles in aqueous media containing poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) amphiphilic block copolymers (Pluronics), with a specific interest on how solution conditions such as pH and temperature, and the presence of salts, polar organic solvents, or PEO homopolymers, affect the (i) organization of the amphiphiles on the nanoparticle surface and in the bulk solution, (ii) ensuing interactions between nanoparticles, and (iii) macroscopic properties of the dispersions.  The fundamental knowledge thus gained guides the design of formulations incorporating nanoparticles, and the spatial organization of nanoparticles in block copolymer matrices.

Sarkar, B.; Venugopal, V.; Tsianou, M.; Alexandridis, P. Adsorption of Pluronic Block Copolymers on Silica Nanoparticles. Colloids Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 2013, 422, 155-164.  DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2013.01.010

Sarkar, B.; Venugopal, V.; Bodratti, A. M.; Tsianou, M.; Alexandridis, P. Nanoparticle Surface Modification by Amphiphilic Block Copolymers in Aqueous Media: Role of Polar Organic Solvents. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2013, 397, 1-8.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2013.01.034