Investigation of Ouzo Effect Colloid Formation Via Organosilica Nanoparticles
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-13-2015
School
Polymer Science and Engineering
Abstract
The ouzo effect is a rapid route to nanoparticle formation through nanoprecipitation via the addition of a poor solvent to supersaturate a polymer solution. Currently, there are differing opinions on the mechanism of particle formation: nucleation and growth, nucleation and aggregation, or spinodal decomposition. To elucidate the mechanism, various concentrations of organosilica were added as artificial nucleation embryos to poly(methyl methacrylate)-tetrahydrofuran solutions prior to nanoprecipitation. Particle size distribution was monitored via dynamic light scattering, while the morphology and organic content of select samples were further characterized via transmission electron microscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis, respectively. The data establishes that spinodal decomposition was the mechanism of particle formation and that silica can be used as an additive for particle size distribution control during ouzo effect particle formation.
Publication Title
Colloid and Polymer Science
Volume
293
Issue
9
First Page
2671
Last Page
2680
Recommended Citation
Whittemore, J.,
Jones, A.,
Mendon, S.,
Rawlins, J.
(2015). Investigation of Ouzo Effect Colloid Formation Via Organosilica Nanoparticles. Colloid and Polymer Science, 293(9), 2671-2680.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18560