Control of Particle Size and Orientation during in Situ Precipitation of Oxides in Polymers

Abstract

ABSTRACTComposite materials may be prepared by bio-mimetic routes where reinforcing particles are grown by chemical reaction in a polymer matrix, by analogy to the mineralization of collagenous bone matrix by hydroxyapatite. Ideally these resulting composites should resemble bone in having sub-micron, elongated particles packed to high densities in the matrix. The resulting material should have good mechanical properties and may also be fired to a dense ceramic.We have been exploring the control of the precipitation of oxide ceramics, particularly titania, by in situ hydrolysis of metal alkoxides. The size of the precipitate particles can be controlled by variation of the compatibility of polymer and alkoxide. A high level of compatibility leads to particles with sizes below 0.1 microns while less compatible alkoxides give particles up to 1 micron diameter. The kinetics of the hydrolysis also affect the particle size. Elongated and oriented particles can be produced by deformation of the polymer during precipitation. Two-phase polymer blends can be used to provide nanoscale molds within which elongated particles grow. By controlling the scale of phase separation in the blend it is possible to produce rod-shaped particles with diameters in the range from one micron down to a few nanometers.