Observation of size oscillations in poly(ethylene) glycol/electrolyte composite microparticles

J. V. Ford, B. G. Sumpter, D. W. Noid, M. D. Barnes

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10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two-dimensional optical diffraction in polymer/electrolyte composite microparticles has revealed interesting structural/morphological dynamics that occur on a time scale of several minutes. In addition to its utility as a qualitative probe of material homogeneity and phase-separation behavior in composite systems, PEG/NaCl particles probed by optical diffraction exhibit particle size oscillation (up to 100 nanometers peak-to-peak). The specific behavior observed depends on the concentration and nature of the electrolyte in the PEG host particle. These results demonstrate the feasibility of 2-D angular scattering in polymer composite particles as a means for probing structural phase transitions in ultrasmall (10-500 femtoliters) confined volumes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)181-185
Number of pages5
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume316
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 14 2000

Funding

The US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (Divisions of Chemical Sciences and Materials Sciences) sponsored this research, under contract DEAC05-96OR22464 with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. J.V.F acknowledges support from the ORNL Postdoctoral Research Associates Program administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

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