(62h) Nanoparticle-Doped Polymer Minirods Made by Micro Segmented Flow

Perfluorinated alkanes allow the fluid segment generation of organic liquids in micro flow through arrangements. We use this technique in order to produce polymer rods. Therefore, pure monomers or monomer mixtures were used for the formation of micro fluid segments by injecting them into a carrier stream of perfluorinated liquids of low vapour pressure. The volume of the fluid segments was controlled precisely by the flow rate of both immiscible liquids. Syringe pumps were applied for pulsation-free flow generation.

The segments were transferred into a PTFE tube (inner diameters between 0.25 and 1 mm) and cured between 12 and 48 hours at 80 degrees (Celsius). The shape of the segments is determined by the inner diameter of the tube and the wetting behaviour of the monomer and the carrier liquids with respect to the wall. The lengths can be adjusted between 0.6 and some millimeters.

Surface modified gold and silver nanoparticles can be introduced in the monomer solution, if the organic shell bear hydrophobic groups. Therefore, metal nanoparticles prepared by reduction of metal ions by NaBH4 as colloidal solution in water were converted by alkylthiols to particles soluble in aprotic solvents. After extraction and cleaning, these particles can be redissolved in monomer liquids and applied in the preparation of monomer micro fluid segments. After polymerization, nanoparticle-doped polymer micro rods were obtained.