Observation of dynamic equilibrium cluster phase in nanoparticle-polymer system
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400094 (India)
- Institut Laue-Langevin, DS/LSS, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, F-38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) have been used to investigate the existence of a cluster phase in a nanoparticle-polymer system. The nanoparticle-polymer system shows an interesting reentrant phase behavior where the charge stabilized silica nanoparticles undergo particle clustering and back to individual nanoparticles as a function of polymer concentration. This kind of phase behavior is believed to be directed by opposing attractive and repulsive interactions present in the system. The phase behavior shows two narrow regions of polymer concentration immediately before and after the two-phase formation indicating the possibility of the existence of some equilibrium clusters. DLS results show a much higher size of particles than individuals in these two regions which remains unchanged even after dilution. The SANS data show the evolution of attraction with increased volume fraction of the particles supporting the dynamic nature of these clusters.
- OSTI ID:
- 22606253
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1731, Issue 1; Conference: DAE solid state physics symposium 2015, Uttar Pradesh (India), 21-25 Dec 2015; Other Information: (c) 2016 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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