Synthesis of dimpled polymer–silica nanocomposite particles by interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization

Abstract

Dimpled polymer–silica nanocomposite particles have the combined advantages of dimpled particles and polymer–silica nanocomposite particles.

Preparation of Surface-Wrinkled Silica–Polystyrene Colloidal Composite Particles

“…However, it is difficult to prepare polymer−silica nanocomposite particles with concave morphologies by these methods directly. 11,40 In this context, we previously prepared dimpled polystyrene−silica (PS−SiO 2 ) particles by heating the near-spherical PS−SiO 2 core−shell nanocomposite particles dispersed in methanol/water media in the presence of decane and subsequent cooling. 41 Furthermore, we recently serendipitously discovered that swelling of PS−SiO 2 core−shell nanocomposite particles with a toluene/ water emulsion led to the production of surface-wrinkled PS− SiO 2 nanocomposite particles.…”

“…On the other hand, colloidal polymer–silica nanocomposite particles have been widely studied over the past three decades or so with the aim to engineer advanced materials for applications in new synthetic mimics, Pickering emulsifiers and scratch-resistant coatings. , Such colloidal particles typically can be synthesized by in situ polymerization, sol–gel coating, and heterocoagulation, leading to near-spherical or convex morphologies. However, it is difficult to prepare polymer–silica nanocomposite particles with concave morphologies by these methods directly. , In this context, we previously prepared dimpled polystyrene–silica (PS–SiO 2 ) particles by heating the near-spherical PS–SiO 2 core–shell nanocomposite particles dispersed in methanol/water media in the presence of decane and subsequent cooling . Furthermore, we recently serendipitously discovered that swelling of PS–SiO 2 core–shell nanocomposite particles with a toluene/water emulsion led to the production of surface-wrinkled PS–SiO 2 nanocomposite particles …”