Colloidal stability in charge stabilized dispersions is sensitive to indifferent electrolyte due to Debye-H�ckel effects that decrease inter-particle repulsion potentials. It is known that osmotic brushes of polymeric electrolytes produce softly repulsive electrosteric stabilization that is insensitive to indifferent electrolyte. Coating particles with such brushes, however, is technically feasible but too expensive in many applications. We present osmotic nanospheres that exhibit high adsorption affinity to charged and uncharged particle surfaces and that are easily applied in waterborne processing. Stimuli-responsive monomers are used to formulate such nanospheres as lightly crosslinked nanogels. The efficacy of such nanogels is demonstrated by producing concentrated dispersions of hydrophobic carbon including nanotubes, graphene, and hydrothermal carbon as well as model colloids and latexes. Stimulus-inducing ions are used to produce controlled dispersion destabilization to produce advanced material coatings. Waterborne coatings of nanocarbon exhibiting near record thermal conductivity (kW/m/K) and high electrical conductivity are described.

Osmotic nanospheres: Ideal and switchable dispersants for waterborne dispersions and advanced coatings of nanocarbon

244th National Meeting (2012)

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