Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation analysis of water suspensions of polymer nanofibers synthesized via RAFT-mediated emulsion polymerization

• Flow-field-flow-fractionation to characterize self-assembled nanofibers (NFs).
• Accurate NFs length and aggregation number per unit length determination.
• Characterization of new self-assembled polymers with various architectures.

The aim of this work is to present a method based on asymmetric flow-field-flow-fractionation coupled on-line to a static light scattering (AF4-UV-SLS) detector to characterize self-assembled nanofibers (NFs). The method developed herein allows the determination of both the length distribution of the NFs as well as the distribution in terms of aggregation number per unit length (Agg). Given the remaining synthetic challenges of better controlling the structural homogeneity and particle dimensions, the NF length and aggregation number per unit length are becoming essential for the improvement and control of their chemical processes and a better understanding of their properties. The results obtained with this AF4-UV-SLS method indicate that a well-resolved NF length distribution characterization and Agg determination were attained. These results provide critical information concerning the physical properties of the investigated NFs and open the door to the characterization of new self-assembled polymers with various asymmetrical architectures.