Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop polystyrene nanoparticles using nanoprecipitation method. Formation of nanoparticles from pre-polymer by nanoprecipitation is a beneficial technique involving the diffusion of polymer phase into dispersion phase. However, selection of solvent /non-solvent couple has intensive influence on nanoprecipitation of specific polymer. In this study the potential of chloroform (CHCl3) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) is explored as the solvent for polystyrene. Effect of dispersion phase; methanol, chloroform, acetone and water have been investigated on nanoprecipitation of polystyrene. It was found that the addition of surfactants enhanced the stability of nanoparticles.Tween-40 has a more pronounced stabilizing effect than Pluronic F-68 on polystyrene nanoparticles in aqueous phase. More stable nanoparticles of polystyrene were obtained in the aqueous medium containing 2-g/L of Tween-40. Interface interaction of mixing phases and surface active agents affect the size and stability of nanoparticles in nanoprecipitation.
Highlights
The word “nano” has been increasingly used in the last decade in line with its increasing applications in various research fields
Negligible solubility attributed by acetone and acetonitrile for polystyrene is not suitable for nanoprecipitation; polystyrene is appreciably soluble in chloroform and tetrahydrofuran
The results revealed that the combination of THF with acetone and water; and CHCl3 with methanol and acetone results in the formation of nanoparticles
Summary
The word “nano” has been increasingly used in the last decade in line with its increasing applications in various research fields. Nanoparticles are defined as particulate dispersions or solid particles with a size in the range of 10-1000nm. It is the use and manipulation of matter at a tiny scale. The expanding applications of nanoparticles integrate in fields such as: microelectronics, synthetic rubber, catalytic compounds, photographic supplies, inks and pigments, coatings and adhesives, ultrafine polishing compounds, UV absorbers for sun screens, synthetic bone, ferrofluids, optical fiber cladding, fabrics and their treatments, filtration, dental materials, surface disinfectants, diesel and fuel additives, hazardous chemical neutralizers, automotive components, electronics, scientific instruments, sports equipment, flat panel displays, drug delivery systems, and pharmaceutics [2]. Polystyrene is an extensively exploited polymer material, and the synthesis of polystyrene nanoparticles is deliberated as a model system for developing polymer nanotechnology
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