Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol.29, No.18, 1527-1531, 2008
Micellization of a siloxane-based segmented copolymer in organic solvents and its use as a tool for metal complex nanoparticles(a)
The micellization of a polysiloxane-ketimine has been studied in solvents of different polarity, i.e., dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene. The critical micelle concentration was determined from surface tension measurements -in DMF-, and from viscosity variation with concentration. Metal complex nanoparticles have been synthesized from this macromolecular ligand in DMF and in toluene, using the formed micelles as templates. Spectroscopic data (IR and UV-vis) confirmed the metal complexation. TEM observations revealed the formation of nanoparticles with different morphologies, which were consistent with the assumed conformation of the ligand in solutions of the two selective solvents.