Selective Distribution of Surface-Modified TiO2 Nanoparticles in Polystyrene-b-poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Diblock Copolymer

Ordered aggregates of surfactant-modified TiO 2 nanoparticles in the selective block of lamellar assemblies of the diblock copolymer PS-b-PMMA have been prepared. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the tethered surfactant determines the location of TiO 2 nanoparticles in the corresponding block, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The modes of dispersion of TiO 2 in the blocks depend on the type of bonding between the surfactant and TiO 2 .Photoluminescence studies of these nanocomposites demonstrate that the location of TiO 2 nanoparticles affect the block copolymer's luminescence at different wavelengths.