Controlled mineralization and assembly of hydrolysis-based nanoparticles in organic solvents combining polymer micelles and microwave techniques

Abstract

Controlled formation of nanoparticles in inverse diblock copolymer micelles by hydrolysis of titanium alkoxide precursors is described. Coagulation of the resulting TiO2-loaded micelles occurs on casting if the sample is prepared by conventional heating, allowing strings of TiO2 particles to form (see Figure). It is demonstrated that this can be prevented by microwave heating