Tuning the thermodynamic, optical, and rheological properties of thermoresponsive polymer solutions via silica nanoparticle shape and concentration.

ABSTRACT:

Hypothesis

The shape and quantity of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles (NPs) can be used to tune the microstructure, rheology, and stability of phase-separating polymer solutions. In thermoresponsive polymer systems, silica nanospheres are well-studied whereas anisotropic NPs have little literature precedent. Here, we hypothesize that NP shape and concentration lower the onset of rheological and turbidimetric transitions of aqueous poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) solutions.

Experiments

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), turbidimetry, and oscillatory rheology are utilized to examine interactions between NPs, PNIPAM, and water and to track changes in phase separation and rheological properties due to NP concentration a

SUBMITTER: Neal CAP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10593120 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature