Scaling Behavior of Dendritic Nanoparticle Mobility in Semidilute Polymer Solutions

D.W. de Kort, W.H. Rombouts, F.J.M. Hoeben, H.M. Janssen, H. van As, J.P.M. van Duynhoven*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In our studies on particle mobility in polymer solutions, we have investigated and determined self-diffusion coefficients of nanoparticles in semidilute solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, Mw = 6, 20, 35, and 100 kDa). Specially designed PEGylated dendrimers with well-defined sizes (dh = 3.4–11.0 nm) and with internal 19F moieties allow for background-free 19F NMR diffusion measurements. This way, we were able to assess the self-diffusion coefficients as a function of particle diameter and length scales (correlation length, tube diameter, polymer radius of gyration) with high resolution. Scaling arguments allowed us to visualize a clear crossover between particles probing a lower apparent viscosity to near macroviscosity when the nanoparticle size is comparable to the PEG polymer coil size. The same arguments are shown to correctly predict particle diffusion coefficients as a function of polymer concentration when the particles are smaller than the polymer coils.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7585-7591
JournalMacromolecules
Volume48
Issue number20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Scaling Behavior of Dendritic Nanoparticle Mobility in Semidilute Polymer Solutions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this