title: Surface-modified hemispherical polystyrene/polybutyl methacrylate composite particles.
abstract: Micrometer-sized polystyrene/poly(n-butyl methacrylate) composite particles of hemisphere morphology and narrow size distribution were prepared by a process of single-step swelling of uniform polystyrene template microspheres with emulsion droplets of the monomer n-butyl methacrylate containing the initiator benzoyl peroxide in the presence, or absence, of the co-swelling agent toluene. Butyl methacrylate was then polymerized at 73 degrees C within the template microspheres. Surface and bulk characterization of the particles were performed by methods such as FTIR, elemental analysis, XPS, advancing contact angle, light microscope, SEM, and cross-sectional TEM. Selective surface functionalization of the poly(n-butyl methacrylate) phase of the composite particles was performed by carrying out a similar swelling and polymerization process in the presence of a water-soluble vinylic monomer such as acrylamide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.
authors.forename: Udi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Akiva
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Margel