Superstructures par agr\'egation contr\^ol\'ee de nanocollo\"ides: caract\'erisation structurale par diffusion de neutrons aux petits angles et simulation num\'erique

TL;DR

This paper reviews the structural characterization of colloidal superstructures formed by micelles or nanoparticles with block copolymers, using neutron scattering and numerical simulations to propose a generic model of their structure.

Contribution

It introduces a unified structural model of colloidal superstructures based on neutron scattering data and numerical simulations, applicable across various systems.

Findings

Superstructures have a dense core and hydrated corona.

Formation is systematic across different systems.

Simulations confirm compatibility of models with experimental data.

Abstract

The complexation of micelles or charged nanoparticles with neutral-charged block copolymers in aqueous solutions leads to the formation of colloidal superstructures also termed 'colloidal complexes'. Their primary interest relies in their monodispersity in size, and in their increased domain of stability. In this review, the structural characterization by dynamic light scattering, cryo-TEM, and small angle neutron scattering is presented. Small angle neutron scattering results have been analyzed using numerical simulations - Monte Carlo or reverse Monte Carlo (RMC). Such simulations are useful to show the compatibility between different models of colloidal superstructures, and experiment. Our results have allowed us to propose a generic structure of complex colloids, made of a dense core of interacting colloids, bridged by polyelectrolyte blocks, and a hydrated corona. We have shown that such superstructures are formed systematically in these systems, with either micelles or nanoparticles, for different copolymers, and different charges. The text is in French.