Mapping the Morphology of Polymer-Inorganic Nanocomposites Synthesized by Miniemulsion Polymerization

A first-principles map for the equilibrium morphologies of polymer-inorganic nanocomposites synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization is developed. The predictions are compared with literature results on the effect of the initiator type, surfactant concentration, monomer system, and surface characteristics of the inorganic nanoparticles on the morphology of the nanocomposites. The limitations of the morphology map are also discussed.