I synthesized polymer grafted TiO2 using surface initiated ARTP process. My major challenge in this work have been the agglomeration of the polymer grafted Nanoparticle as observed using TEM. I have tried different techniques to keep the nanoparticle separated but its not working.
Can only suggest the best way to keep my polymer grafted nanoparticle homogenously dispersed?
Can you share an example TEM? It can be difficult to assess aggregation in the liquid state from a TEM since you cannot be certain that the aggregation you observe via TEM is due to how the sample was prepared for TEM or if it indicates aggregation in the dispersion. It is even harder to differentiate between discrete particles that have aggregated after formation from aggregates formed during the particle synthesis.
Please also explain what the polymer is and the liquid you are trying to disperse the particles in.
If you are trying to replicate research published elsewhere, please share the reference.
Hi Ikeoluwa Apata ,
As Dr. Miller has explained, it is not recommended to relate the state of NPs while in a dried state during TEM to their state when dispersed in a liquid.
The clustering phenomenon you are observing could just be an artifact of the sample preparation process for TEM that does not reflect the native state of your NPs when dispersed.
Using alternative ensemble-based, non-invasive techniques, such as DLS or UV/Vis, you could gain valuable information about the dispersion state of your NPs with little-to-no changes to the sample (i.e., without drying).
Hi Dr. Miller, I attached one of the TEM result. The polymer in this case is polystyrene and it was dispersed in DMF. The method I adopted was originally used for BaTiO3.
I'm no expert, but I did work on a material science research project as an undergraduate in which we manufactured carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites with graphene nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer phase. I remember having used sonication to disperse the graphene nanoparticles in epoxy resin prior to adding the hardener and then spreading the mixture onto the CF sheets. The issue with sonication, though, is that the graphene-epoxy mixture can become very hot during sonication, and you have to stop sonication prior to adding the hardener. After you add the hardener the graphene particles may still fall to the bottom due to gravity.
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