  We perform a thermodynamic analysis of the polymerization-induced phase
separation in nanoparticle-monomer-polymer blends using a simple model recently
proposed by V. V. Ginzburg (Macromolecules 2005, 38, 2362.). The model was
adapted for ternary blends constituted by nanoparticles, a monomer and a linear
polymer, where the relative fractions of polymer and monomer determine the
conversion in the polymerization reaction. The analysis showed that phase
separation can occur in the course of polymerization for a large range of
values of the relevant parameters (interaction parameter, and polymer and
particle sizes). This possibility has to be considered when the intention is to
fix a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in a monomer through its
polymerization.
