An investigation into the nano-structure self assemblies of amphiphiles and their fixation by polymerization

["Polymerization", "Amphiphiles", "Dissertations -- Polymer science"]

McLeary, James Breton ; Sanderson, R. D.

Stellenbosch University

Others  :  https://scholar.sun.ac.za:443/bitstream/10019.1/51610/1/mcleary_investigation_2000.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: Stellenbosch University

【 摘 要 】

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is a written record of an investigation into the self-assembly of organicmonomers in amphiphilic solutions.The polymerizable surfactant sodium 10-undecenoate was used alone and withdifferent concentrations of styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers and phenylacetophenone initiator to investigate single particle formation from a simpleamphiphilic self-assembly. Reactions were carried out under either ultra-violet light orgamma irradiation.It was shown that copolymerization between the surfactant and the monomers did notoccur to any significant extent. This meant that inclusion of easily modifiablecarboxyl functionalities in the polymer by incorporation of the carboxylate surfactantcould not be quantified.Star-like particles were found. The shape of the particles formed, was the result ofsurfactant self-assembly to create self-assembled particles rather than templating ofpolymeric material. Polymerization of the unsaturated surfactant particles occurred tolow conversions only.Analyses of formed particles were carried out using scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanningelectron microscopy and light microscopy for structure observation.The techniques of energy dispersive analysis by x-rays, particle SIze analysis,differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infraredanalysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, small angle x-ray scattering and inductivelycoupled plasma (for counter-ion analysis) were used for the gathering of physicaldata.