Toward Transparent Nanocomposites Based on Polystyrene Matrix and PMMA-Grafted CeO₂ Nanoparticles

Abstract

The association of transparent polymer and nanosized pigment particles offers attractive optical materials for various potential and existing applications. However, the particles embedded into polymers scatter light due to refractive index (RI) mismatch and reduce transparency of the resulting composite material. In this study, optical composites based on polystyrene (PS) matrix and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-grafted CeO2 hybrid particles were prepared. CeO2 nanoparticles with an average diameter of 18 ± 8 nm were precipitated by treating Ce(NO3)·6H2O with urea in the presence of a polymerizable surfactant, 3-methacyloxypropyltrimethoxy silane. PMMA chains were grafted on the surface of the nanoparticles upon free radical in situ solution polymerization. While blending of unmodified CeO2 particles with PS resulted in opaque films, the transparency of the composite films was remarkably enhanced when prepared by PMMA-grafted CeO2 hybrid particles, particularly those having a PMMA thickness of 9 nm. The improvement in transparency is presumably due to the reduction in RI mismatch between CeO2 particles and the PS matrix when using PMMA chains at the interface.

Investigation of size dependency on lattice strain of nanoceria particles synthesised by wet chemical methods

“…Applications of ceria include fields such as catalysis, oxygen sensors, electrolyte materials of solid oxide fuel cells and biomedical science [1][2][3][4]. Ceria plays a prominent role in the three-way catalysis for the control of emission of automotive exhaust gases.…”

Null Extinction of Ceria@silica Hybrid Particles: Transparent Polystyrene Composites

“…Figure 4 illustrates the calculated refractive index of the hybrid particles based on the Maxwell-Garnett equation. Neat CeO 2 has a refractive index of 2.2 at 633 nm, 25 and the one of PS is 1.59. 43 When silica is coated on the surface, the calculation shows an exponential decrease.…”

Novel approaches to flexible visible transparent hybrid films for ultraviolet protection

“…However, some recent efforts with this metal oxide are made to solve this drawback. 41 As we will show later, ZrO 2 is a convenient option if protection is desired at ultraviolet C (200-280 nm) range (lower wavelengths) due to its large bandgap value (near 220 nm).…”