Polymeric nanocomposite material with a periodic structure

A new approach to producing polymer nanocomposite materials with optically sensitive matrixes is developed. Core-shell latex particles with rigid cores and relatively soft shells are synthesized, packed into a three-dimensional array, and annealed at the temperature at which the shell-forming polymer (SFP) flows and forms a continuous phase, whereas the latex cores remain intact. During latex synthesis, low-molecular-weight species, such as a fluorescent dye, are incorporated into the SFP, thus leading do the polymer-based nanocomposite material with a fluorescent matrix. High modulation in composition and optical properties of the material is achieved by covalently attaching the dye to the SFP, which is accompanied by polymer cross-linking. Mixing of the dye in the SFP, especially when it is not followed by polymer cross-linking, results in a substantial reduction in optical contrast between the particles and the matrix.