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Functionalization-Induced Solubility Collapse and Kinetic Partitioning Govern CNT Core-Shell Inversion in UHMWPE Microspheres

18 December 2025, Version 2
Working Paper
This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press at the time of posting.

Abstract

Functionalization-induced solubility collapse produces MWNTs/UHMWPE microspheres with size-dependent architectures. A bifunctional linker and a coupling agent trigger rapid phase segregation and MWNTs interfacial migration, yielding CNT-rich droplets. Larger droplets develop CNT-enriched shells, while smaller ones retain CNTs in their cores. SEM, TEM, and XRD confirm unique core-shell-corona structures.

Keywords

Functionalization-induced phase separation
MWNTs/UHMWPE microspheres
Nanotube partitioning
Polyolefin nanocomposites
Hierarchical core–shell structures

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Now Published

Kinetic partitioning drives size-dependent CNT core–shell inversion in UHMWPE microspheres [opens in a new tab]
Moulay Rachid Babaa journal article
Materials Letters , Volume 407
Print publication date: Mar, 2026

Version History

Dec 18, 2025 Version 2

Version Notes

Version 2 clarifies the assembly mechanism by introducing a kinetic partitioning framework that explains the size-dependent inversion of CNT localization through competition between CNT diffusion and droplet solidification. The Results and Discussion were reorganized to strengthen the linkage between SEM/TEM/XRD observations and mechanism, and the positioning relative to conventional CNT/polyethylene composites was refined. Minor editorial and structural improvements were also implemented.

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The content is available under CC BY 4.0 [opens in a new tab]

DOI

10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-tsgml-v2
D O I: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-tsgml-v2 [opens in a new tab]

Author’s competing interest statement

A national patent application (ID 263825) covering the functionalization-induced phase-separation route for generating CNT/polyolefin microspheres has been filed. In accordance with standard intellectual property procedures, this filing will proceed to an international (PCT) application following completion of the national phase. The present manuscript describes scientific aspects of the concept that are consistent with the filed disclosure.

Ethics

The author(s) have declared ethics committee/IRB approval is not relevant to this content

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