a copolymer of styrene and methyl styrene was synthesized by nitroxide - mediated “living” free radical polymerization )nmp). n-bromosuccinimide was used as a brominating agent to obtain a copolymer with bromine as its end group. this brominated copolymer was used as macro initiators for atom transfer  radical  polymerization  (atrp).  chemical  modifcation  of  the  clay  and transformation of...

The fabrication of silk-based membranes that are stable, optically transparent and reusable is yet to be achieved. To address this bottleneck we have developed a method to produce transparent chromogenic silk patches that are optically responsive to pH. The patches were produced by blending regenerated silk fibroin (RSF), Laponite RD (nano clay) and the organic dyes neutral red and Thionine ace...

Bioinspired design has been central in the development of hierarchical nanocomposites. Particularly, the nacre-mimetic brick-and-mortar structure has shown excellent mechanical properties, as well as gas-barrier properties and optical transparency. Along with these intrinsic properties, the layered structure has also been utilized in sensing devices. Here we extend the multifunctionality of nac...

liquid crystal, colloid, SAXS Suspensions of three different clays in K15, a thermotropic liquid crystal have been studied by optical microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. The three clays were Claytone AF, a surface treated natural montmorillonite, Laponite RD, a synthetic hectorite and mined Sepiolite. The Claytone and Laponite were sterically stabilized whereas Sepiolite formed a relat...

The interaction between Laponite and other constituents in complex systems greatly depends on its available surface area. We report a study of exfoliation dynamics of Laponite in aqueous suspensions by NMR relaxometry. It showed that Laponite particles exfoliate to the same extent in a concentration range of 0.5-3% w/w. Faster increase of specific wetted surface area of Laponite particles in mo...

In this work, the use of positively charged macromolecular reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymers (macro-RAFTs) in synthesis Laponite RD-based nanocomposite latex particles is described. For purpose, two different amphiphilic composed 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and nbutyl acrylate (BA) units are investigated. first step, macroRAFT adsorbed onto Lapo...

Currently, there is an interest in novel drug delivery systems, diagnostic capabilities and improving separation of biomacromolecules such as DNA and proteins. One possible approach is to add charged nanoparticles to the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system to observe the difference in, for example, protein separation efficiency. Another approach included creating templated pores by polyme...