Nanostructures formed in polymer particles by self-organization

Phase separation in polymer blends and block copolymers in confined spaces has received great interest since novel types of phase separation structures, which are different from those in bulk state, are formed. Polymer blend and block copolymer particles were prepared by originally developed "Self ORganized Precipitation (SORP)" method, and their phase separation structures were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Janus, core-shell, lamellae and other unique phase separation structures were formed by changing the combination of polymers, size of particles, and other parameters. Functionalization of nanostructured polymer particles with inorganic and metal nanoparticles were also performed. When negatively charged gold nanoparticles were attached to positively charged aminoterminated polybutadiene and polystyrene core-shell particles, gold nanoparticles formed densely packed arrays on their shells, and show strong enhancement of surface enhanced Raman scattering signals. These functionalized and nanostructured composite particles allow accessing a novel class of nanomaterials.