Morphological Control of Multihollow Polymer Latex Particles through a Controlled Phase Separation in the Seeded Emulsion Polymerization

• DOI: 10.1021/la403166q
• Publication Date: 2013-11-11T20:37:59Z
• Authors: Bingxin Li; Yongfei Xu; Mozhen Wang; Xuewu Ge
• Keywords: Polystyrene; Emulsion polymerization; Aqueous two-phase system

In this work, we first reported that the phase separation can take place both inside and outside of a multihollow-structured cross-linked seed microspheres swollen by styrene monomers in water during radiation-induced seeded emulsion polymerization. The process these two opposite directions will determine morphology final latex particles. First, sulfonated polystyrene (SCPS) were water. Water permeate into SCPS swelling process, forced osmotic pressure produced strong hydrophilicity sulfonic acid groups. New aqueous phases are created stabilized hydrophilic -SO3H groups, resulting multihollow structure microspheres. When polymerization is induced (60)Co γ-ray radiation, newly formed occur at microsphere-water interface and/or through adjusting diameter microsphere, content cross-link agent, sulfonation degree As result, particles with variety special morphologies, such as spherical multihollow, plum-like, walnut-like obtained. results study provide not only simple interesting way to design synthesize polymer controllable surface morphologies but also better understanding on mechanism amphiphilic networks.