Formation of Copolymer-Ag Nanoparticles Composite Micelles in Three-dimensional Co-flow Focusing Microfluidic Device

Abstract

A novel method was presented to create composite micelles of amphiphilic copolymers and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in a three-dimensional co-flow focusing microfluidic device (3D CFMD). Self-assembly of the copolymers was initiated by the fast mixing of water and a blend dispersion of hydrophobic Ag NPs and amphiphilic copolymers. At the same time, the hydrophobic Ag NPs enter the core of copolymer micelles, based on the hydrophobic interaction. The copolymer-Ag NPs composite micelles have a core-shell structure with copolymer shell and Ag NPs core. COMSOL Multiphysics is used to simulate the concentration distribution of copolymers and Ag NPs under different flow rates. Co-assembly microfluidic conditions are determined based on simulation results. Under suitable microfluidic conditions, both block copolymers and gradient copolymers can co-assemble with hydrophobic Ag NPs to form composite micelles, respectively. This microfluidic coassembly method will have a good prospect in the preparation of composite micelles of amphiphilic copolymers and metal nanoparticles.

Keywords

composite micelles / self-assembly / co-flow microfluidic / simulation / amphiphilic copolymers / Ag nanoparticles