Intriguing Morphology Evolution from Noncrosslinked Poly(tert-butyl acrylate) Seeds with Polar Functional Groups in Soap-Free Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene

Abstract

Herein, we demonstrate a facile approach to prepare anisotropic poly(tert-butyl acrylate)/polystyrene (PtBA/PS) composite particles with controllable morphologies by soap-free seeded emulsion polymerization (SSEP). In the first step, noncrosslinked PtBA seeds with self-stabilizing polar functional groups (e.g., ester groups and radicals) are synthesized by soap-free emulsion polymerization. During the subsequent SSEP of styrene (St), PS bulges are nucleated on the PtBA seeds due to the microphase separation confined in the latex particles. The morphology evolution of PtBA/PS composite particles is tailored by varying the monomer/seed feed ratio, polymerization time, and polymerization temperature. Many intriguing morphologies, including hamburger-like, litchi-like, mushroom-like, strawberry-like, bowl-like, and snowman-like, have been acquired for PtBA/PS composite particles. The polar groups on the PtBA seed surface greatly influence the formation and further merging of PS/St bulges during the polymerization. A possible formation mechanism is proposed on the basis of experimental results. These complex composite particles are promising for applications in superhydrophobic coatings.

Onset Reduction and Stabilization of Cocontinuous Morphology in Immiscible Polymer Blends by Snowmanlike Janus Nanoparticles

“…Because of the release cross-linking force created on the PBA network, phase separation between PBA and PS happened in the following polymerization process. Low-molecular-weight polymers expelled from the seed grew bigger as they merged with the PS/St bulges on the seed surface, and anisotropic particles were synthesized. , The chemical and shape asymmetries are controlled by the amount of AAEM and styrene, respectively (Table ). Two typical snowmanlike JPs with different shape asymmetries are shown in Figure .…”

Effective Structure Control of Colloidal Molecules and the Morphology Evolution Mechanism Investigation

“…Among other geometries, the sphere has the smallest surface area under a certain volume; thus, most nanoparticles exhibit spherical shape to minimize the free energy, making the preparation of nonspherical CMs challenging work. To best of our knowledge, there are mainly three techniques available for CMs synthesis: (1) controlled clustering method, (2) phase separation method, and (3) surface nucleation-regrowth method, which could obtain CMs with various shapes including dumbbell, − snowman, − popcorn, , raspberry, and so forth.…”

Facile Synthesis of Single‐Hole Crosslinked Particles with Embedded Single Bulge by Seeded Emulsion Polymerization

“…Anisotropic particles with programmable structures such as Janus, raspberry‐like, snowman‐shaped, yolk‐shell particles have been considered as a kind of crucial and promising materials for biomedicine, catalysis, energy storage, building blocks . Among these, anisotropic particles with single‐opening or open‐mouth structures have been the significant support platform because they provide the contact channel for the target molecules and substrate.…”