ISSN:
1435-1536
Keywords:
Polymerization in bicontinuous microemulsions
;
interaction of polymers with lyotropic phases
;
sponge-like polymer dispersions
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract Polymer gels with high water content are made by polymerization of hydrophilic/hydrophobic monomer mixtures in bicontinuous microemulsions. These structures can be described as a heterophasic, bicontinuous polymer colloid-in-water structure, the characteristic length of which is only indirectly influenced by the original microemulsion mixture. The structure formation and phase changes throughout the polymerization reaction are followed with rheology, polarization microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that already the very first formed polymer changes disturb the bicontinuous phase structure and nucleate a vesicular phase; with further consumption of the monomer mixture, at least three other phase transitions can be detected, ending with a simple globular surfactant structure. Although direct templating of the original mesomorphous structure does not occur, the existence of the diverse lyotropic phases influences the final structure. It is shown that simple dilution changes the characteristic length of the network elements from about 2 μm down to 50 nm. This is explained by a combination of a nucleation-and-growth mechanism with the influence of a restricted colloidal stability in anisometric lyotropic phases.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00653069
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