Nanoparticle interactions with polymers and polyelectrolytes

Macromolecules can alter or enhance the stability of a nanoparticle suspension. Due to the very small size of the solid object, an adsorbing chain can easily collect several particles in a stable multiplet. When the solid fraction is low (<0.01), these objects can be formed separately and one main question under study is their ability to be cross-linked and form gels or flocs. The flexibility of the chains and the charge of the two components are the key parameters controlling the structure and reactivity of these complexes. When the chains are repelled by the surface, a depletion interaction is created which is attractive in general but can turn to a repulsion for neutral particles mixed with polyelectrolytes.