Separation and characterization of single-chain polymer particles

Several different approaches are presented for the separation and conversion of isolated molecules in solution to solid, single-molecule particles. With an electrospray process single molecules and few molecule cluster are isolated. Tested were an amorphous polystyrene and a crystalline poly(ethylene oxide). Particle size- and shape- distributions were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the small particle size on physical parameters are discussed. Observations of electrosprayed polymer particles are used to suggest an extension of the general electrospray model.