A Facile Strategy for Controlling the Self-Assembly of Nanocomposite Particles Based on Colloidal Steric Stabilization Theory

Abstract

A heterocoagulation strategy based on colloidal steric stabilization theory has been developed, through which polystyrene (PS) and silica (SiO(2)) particles without any surface modification or functionalization self-assembled rapidly via solution to afford nanocomposite particles with raspberry-like morphology. The formation mechanism is fully studied on the basis of a thermodynamic analysis. The soluble stabilizer and the solvent quality are the main determining factors, which have a significant influence on this self-assembly process and the silica coverage of resultant composites. The relative size of PS to SiO(2) candidates also has the effect of control on the extent of self-assembly. Furthermore, this strategy can be applied to fabricate a broad range of composite materials, including PS/TiO(2), PS/AgI, as well as PS/PS composites.

Recent Progress on Silica Coating of Nanoparticles and Related Nanomaterials

“…After variable pyrolysis conditions, ceramic microspheres containing a-Fe nanoclusters embedded within a silicon carbide-carbon matrix, with tunable magnetic properties, were obtained. [129] Wang and co-workers [130] have developed a heterocoagulation strategy based on colloidal steric stabilization theory, through which spontaneous self-assembly of PS microparticles and SiO 2 nanoparticles was achieved without surface modification or functionalization. This heterocoagulation control was based on the preparation of metastable host latex particles by washing off the particle surface, followed by blending with the guest silica nanoparticles as the steric stabilizer, which is somehow reminiscent of the well-known pickering emulsions.…”

Fabrication of hierarchical hollow silica/silver/silica/titania composite particles

“…As pointed out, the feed ratio of guest particles to host particles is kept constant at 1.5 times the theoretical one calculated by equation concerned above [26]. Based on the calculation results, the guest particles (0.5 g) and host particles (0.1 g) were employed.…”

“…4b, c) unambiguously reveal that the Ag/SiO 2 /TiO 2 guest particles are distributed uniformly on the surface of PS/SiO 2 host ones. The weight ratio of guest particles to host particles is determined by the following equation: [26] …”

Fabrication of polymer-hollow sphere optical-functional hybrid material via RAFT polymerization

“…In recent years, polymer-inorganic composites have gained great attention from different fields as they are expected to combine the advantages of both polymers (e.g., polybetaine, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate) and inorganic constituents (e.g., clay, silicon, silica gel), such as thermal stability, mechanical strength, flame retardance and optical properties [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Silicon hollow spheres are typical inorganic materials with a large inner void, low density, high surface area and show attractive magnetic, optic, wave absorbability, and catalytic properties [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”