DEPOSITION DYNAMICS FOR PROCESSING FUNCTIONAL POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE MEMBRANES

摘要

Polymer functionalized nanoparticles have garnered strong research interests due to promising uses in a wide range of applications including drug delivery, tribology and stabilized composite solutions. Here we report on the synthesis of polymer nanocomposite thin films for applications related to membrane-based water treatment where the nanoparticle is functionalized for targeted sequestration or remediation of pollutants. The filler material for the model nanocomposite membranes are comprised of a ～10 nm silica core surrounded by chemically attached polymer "brushes"; these "hairy nanoparticles" (hNPs) are embedded in a polymer matrix to form the nanocomposite films.