Segregated polymeric nanocomposites with tunable three-dimensional network of nanoparticles by controlling the dispersion and distribution

Abstract

A tunable three-dimensional network of nanoparticles was for the first time realized in a segregated polymeric nanocomposite by controlling the dispersion and distribution of nanoparticles in an emulsion system. The results show that the distribution of the nanofillers coupled with the porous structures can be effectively adjusted by simply varying the W/O ratio as well as the concentration of nanoparticles in the water phase. This study indicates a facile, cost-effective and universal emulsion process for fabrication of advanced polymeric nanocomposites with controlled distribution and dispersion of nanoparticles.