Polymer, Vol.159, 138-145, 2018
Structure of block copolymer grafted silica nanoparticles
The morphology of a block copolymer of a near symmetric strongly-segregating poly(n-butyl acrylate) and poly (methyl methacrylate) tethered to a similar to 15 nm silica nanoparticles is examined using a combination of microscopy techniques and small angle x-ray and neutron scattering. The copolymer components are strongly segregated and form a disordered structure that is possibly a combination of coexisting individual randomly placed core-shell structures and worm-like cylinders with 3-5 silica nanoparticles forming the core. With increasing temperature, the cylinders become shorter because of the improved thermodynamic compatibility between the two copolymer segments.