Abstract
We develop a simple and feasible method to fabricate polymer nanoparticles by annealing polymer films in a uniform environment. Different from the conventional methods, no extra additive or emulsifier is needed in the preparation processes. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films are used as a model system and annealed at elevated temperatures in ethylene glycol, which provides a uniform three-dimensional annealing environment and acts as stabilizers once the nanoparticles are formed. After the annealing process, PMMA nanoparticles with monodisperse diameters are formed. By examining the remaining films after the annealing process, the formation mechanism, which involves surface undulation and detachment of polymer nanoparticles, is proposed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2471-2475 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 24 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 15 Dec 2016 |
Keywords
- amorphous materials
- ethylene glycol
- interfaces
- membranes
- nanoparticles
- poly(methyl methacrylate)
- polymer films
- surface chemistry
- thermal annealing