Hello
I dissolved a polymer in phenol and after adding nanoparticles and forming a composite, I casted it in water and ethanol as an non-solvent. After removing the coagulated composite from the non-solvent, I noticed a change in color and the formation of white solid particles in the prepared nanocomposite. Did the phenol solvent penetrate inside the nanocomposite and did it not leave the composite after casting in ethanol? Is there a way to remove phenol from the nanocomposite?
Solvent Casting Technique
Compared with the solvent casting technique, this process requires critical moisture control only at the time of assembling the cells, and its mechanical strength is retained.
I believe that by combining heat treatment and vacuum you will be able to remove the solvent from the nanocomposite
Drying in a vacuum oven. Ideally, at a temperature above Tg and above the boiling point of the solvent you want to remove. That might be difficult for phenol due to its high boiling point. High temperatures may also degrade your matrix or trigger a reaction with the phenol. We were using cyclohexane for precipitating nanocomposites. It boils at 80.7 °C, so it is easier to remove. It is also immiscible with many solvents and practically non-reactive.
What do you mean by white solid particles? Where did you find them? In the dry nanocomposite? Indeed, changing the solvent may lead to phase separation. You may refer to our publications for further information on this topic.
Article Bulk Polymer Nanocomposites with Preparation Protocol Govern...
Article Phase diagram of bare particles in polymer nanocomposites: U...
Article Thermodynamic Parameters Controlling Nanoparticle Spatial Pa...
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