Preparation and Metallization of Block-copolymer Particles with Phase Separation Structures

Polymer particles were prepared by evaporation of good solvent from a polymer solution containing poor solvent. By using this "Self-ORganized Precipitation (SORP)" method, one could prepare particles of poly (styrene-block-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-PVP) dispersed in water. After preparation of PS-b-PVP particles, a solution of metal salts was mixed into the particle dispersion to form complexes of metal and PVP segments. Scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals that phase-separation structures of metal-complexed block-copolymers were formed in their particles. The phase-separation structure was different depending on the concentration of PVP segments. These results indicate that metal-polymer hybrid particles can be formed by simple solvent evaporation and metallization processes.