Design of hybrid networks by sheathing polymer fibrils with self-assembled nanotubules

This paper examines the possibility of sheathing polymer nanofibrils, prepared from a thermoreversible gel, by nanotubules, obtained through self-assembly of a complex ester. The method for preparing this hybrid system consists of cooling ternary solutions until gelation is achieved. The sheathing mechanism most probably occurs through heterogeneous nucleation: polymer fibrils act as heterogeneous nuclei, and so trigger the growth of nanotubules around them. The occurrence of the sheathing process is investigated by DSC, AFM, SAXS and SANS. In the latter case, the contrast variation method is used.