Stabilization and controlled association of inorganic nanoparticles using block copolymers

Abstract

We report on the structural properties of mixed aggregates made from\nrare-earth inorganic nanoparticles (radius 20 Angstroms) and\npolyelectrolyte-neutral block copolymers in aqueous solutions. Using scattering\nexperiments and Monte Carlo simulations, we show that these mixed aggregates\nhave a hierarchical core-shell microstructure. The core is made of densely\npacked nanoparticles and it is surrounded by a corona of neutral chains. This\nmicrostructure results from a process of controlled association and confers to\nthe hybrid aggregates a remarkable colloidal stability.\n