Investigating the block copolymer deposition on Au nanoparticle surface via graphene liquid cell

Abstract

The incorporation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) into the block copolymer (BCP) micelles has received considerable attention due to many potential applications as well as the variability in structures. One of the unsolved problems in this field is the incorporation mechanism of NPs into the desired position of controllable BCP micelles. In this paper, the procedure of polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) deposition on Au NP surface has been captured by using an in situ graphene liquid cell. Attachment and direct deposition are the two pathways of polymer deposition that are decided by the surface chemistry of Au NPs. Additionally, three-dimensional electron tomography revealed that the NP morphology affects the volume and surface area of Au@PS-b-PAA core-shell NPs. This study offers new insights into polymer encapsulation and polymer imaging, which would benefit the design of core-shell NPs as well as their relative applications. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd