Our Research

Nanoparticles exhibit unique properties due to their small size and high surface-to-volume ratios. They can be made from various materials, including metals and semiconductors, which impart magnetic and electro-optical properties. In our group, we investigate the parameters and kinetics of different nanoparticle synthesis methods using SAXS/WAXS and TEM.

To facilitate this, we designed a special glass vessel that allows us to monitor reactions at 320°C in situ under an Argon atmosphere. Additionally, we coat the particles with different polymers to stabilize them and make them compatible with various polymer matrices, preventing aggregation. These dispersed nanoparticles enhance the properties of the polymers and can be highly concentrated due to their compatibility.

Using block copolymers as coatings enables us to form highly ordered self-assembly structures in bulk materials through slow evaporation. Since nanoparticles are not necessarily spherical, we also synthesize and investigate various shapes, such as octahedra, hexagonal cylinders, and platelets.