Formation of nanoparticles on reverse micelles: SANS studies

Abstract

The structure of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) on the surface of reverse micelles was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The water-in-oil microemulsion containing initiators in the inner part of reverse micelle was prepared with surfactant, poly(oxyethylene) nonylphenyl ether (NP5, H(CH2)(9)Ph(OC2H4)(5)OH), water, cyclohexane and adequate initiators, sodium metabisulfate (SDS) and potassium persulfate (KPS), for aimed polymerization (PMMA). Various model fittings such as the core shell sphere model and hard sphere model containing smearing effect reveal that polymer shell thickness changes from 52 to 60 A, respectively, with increase of monomer concentration.