Polyelectrolyte-assisted synthesis of polystyrene microspheres by dispersion polymerization and the subsequent formation of silica shell.
Polystyrene (PS) microspheres were synthesized via dispersion polymerization in alcoholic media. A cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was successfully used as a steric stabilizer. The concentration of initiator, monomer, and the solubility parameter of medium showed typical phenomena observed in dispersion polymerization. However, the sensitivity to the change in the particles size was almost twofold greater than conventional stabilizers. Spherical PS particles were synthesized with the PEI concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 wt.% to styrene, but conversion over 95% was achieved over 10 wt.% PEI. As-prepared PEI-stabilized PS microspheres were used as the template for the subsequent formation of a silica shell. As a result, a robust silica layer was fabricated on PS microspheres due to the increased interaction between PEI and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).
Hong
Jinho
J
Department of Chemical Engineering, Inha University, 253 Yonghyundong, Namgu, Incheon 402-751, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Jeongwoo
J
Rhym
Young-Mok
YM
Kim
Doo-Hyun
DH
Shim
Sang Eun
SE
D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008863:Microspheres; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D020058:Styrene / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D004573:Electrolytes; D009570:Nitriles; D011137:Polystyrenes; D020058:Styrene; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; C004526:azobis(isobutyronitrile)