Characterization methods of polymer core–shell particles

Abstract

The design and synthesis of various polymer coreshell particles result from their distinct characteristics, which combine the properties of two or more components into one material. Many accessible synthetic strategies for obtaining polymer core-shell particles lead to the formation of particles for which the internal morphology differs from the ideal coreshell structure. Understanding the precise morphology characteristics is important for mechanistic studies of particle formation, which ultimately results in the design of particles for specific structures and properties. The detailed characteristics of complex polymer particle structures are complicated and require more than one method. This review focuses on imaging methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryo-TEM, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and confocal fluorescence microscopy that reveal the radial redistribution of the components and methods for the quantitative analysis of individual phases (core, shell and interfacial layer), such as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Methods that can determine the surface composition and makeup of the character of interfacial layer (gradient or containing small domains, etc.) were also reviewed.

Characterizing the Core-Shell Architecture of Block Copolymer Nanoparticles with Electron Microscopy: A Multi-Technique Approach

“…Though a core-shell architecture has been claimed in many studies that have reported spherical block copolymer nanoparticles, morphological characterization is usually insufficient [20]. In most cases, the justification for core-shell structure is based only on thermodynamic incompatibility between blocks or their difference of solubility in the continuous phase.…”

Multimodal Characterization of Resin Embedded and Sliced Polymer Nanoparticles by Means of Tip‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Force–Distance Curve Based Atomic Force Microscopy

“…Correlative approaches aim at yielding multidimensional and corroborating information by combining various microscopy and or spectroscopic methods. [ 7 ] As such, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) [ 8 ] and correlative light microscopy and AFM (CL‐AFM) [ 9 ] try to overcome their own limitations by pairing information on the morphology and mechanical properties with high‐molecular specificity. Another still remaining challenge in terms of studying polymer nanoparticles or biological samples is their nanoscale investigation in the solvate state by means of microscopy techniques.…”

Diblock Copolymer Core–Shell Nanoparticles as Template for Mesoporous Carbons: Independent Tuning of Pore Size and Pore Wall Thickness

“…29,30 In particular, PISA has proven successful to create sub-50 nm nanoparticles with a core-shell morphology. 31,32 In addition to having a suitable diameter range and size distribution, our diblock copolymer nanoparticles do not require additional surfactant since stabilization is ensured by PHEA chains. Unlike electrostatic stabilization, such steric stabilization leads to a more robust template able to disperse in various organic monomer solutions.…”