Preparation of Multihollow Polymer Particles by Seeded Emulsion Polymerization Using Seed Particles with Incorporated Nonionic Emulsifier†

We develop a sequential flow process for the production of monodisperse poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) composite particles through a soap-free emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using the first water-in-oil (W/O) slug flow and a subsequent seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene (St) using the second W/O slug flow. In this process, monodisperse PMMA seed particles are first formed in the dispersed aqueous phase of the first W/O slug flow. Subsequently, removal of the oil phase from the slug flow is achieved through a porous hydrophobic tubing, resulting in a single flow of the aqueous phase containing the seed particles. The aqueous phase is then mixed with an oil phase containing St monomer to form the second W/O slug flow. Finally, monodisperse PMMA/PS composite particles are obtained by a seeded emulsion polymerization of St using the second W/O slug flow. We compared the reaction performance between the slug flow and the batch processes in terms of particle diameter, monomer conversion, particle size distribution, and the number of particles in the system. We found that internal circulation flow within the slugs can enhance mass transfer efficiency between them during polymerization, which results in monodisperse PMMA/PS composite particles with a large particle diameter and a high monomer conversion in a short reaction time, compared to those prepared using the batch process. We believe that this sequential microflow process can be a versatile strategy to continuously produce monodisperse composite particles or core-shell particles in a short reaction time.

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Bio-functional, lanthanide-labeled polymer particles by seeded emulsion polymerization and their characterization by novel ICP-MS detection

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry ◽

10.1039/b916850h ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 269-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Stuart C. Thickett ◽

Ahmed I. Abdelrahman ◽

Olga Ornatsky ◽

Dmitry Bandura ◽

Vladimir Baranov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emulsion Polymerization ◽

Seeded Emulsion Polymerization ◽

Polymer Particles ◽

Ms Detection ◽

Icp Ms

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Platinum nanoparticles from size adjusted functional colloidal particles generated by a seeded emulsion polymerization process

Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology ◽

10.3762/bjnano.2.50 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 459-472 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Nicolas Vogel ◽

Ulrich Ziener ◽

Achim Manzke ◽

Alfred Plettl ◽

Paul Ziemann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emulsion Polymerization ◽

Platinum Nanoparticles ◽

Colloidal Particles ◽

Identical Particle ◽

Polymerization Process ◽

Critical Parameters ◽

Seeded Emulsion Polymerization ◽

Saturation State ◽

Seed Particles ◽

Saturated State

The benefits of miniemulsion and emulsion polymerization are combined in a seeded emulsion polymerization process with functional seed particles synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. A systematic study on the influence of different reaction parameters on the reaction pathway is conducted, including variations of the amount of monomer fed, the ratio of initiator to monomer and the choice of surfactant and composition of the continuous phase. Critical parameters affecting the control of the reaction are determined. If carefully controlled, the seeded emulsion polymerization with functional seed particles yields monodisperse particles with adjustable size and functionalities. Size-adjusted platinum-acetylacetonate containing latex particles with identical seed particles and varied shell thicknesses are used to produce arrays of highly ordered platinum nanoparticles with different interparticle distances but identical particle sizes. For that, a self-assembled monolayer of functional colloids is prepared on a solid substrate and subsequently treated by oxygen plasma processing in order to remove the organic constituents. This step, however, leads to a saturated state of a residual mix of materials. In order to determine parameters influencing this saturation state, the type of surfactant, the amount of precursor loading and the size of the colloids are varied. By short annealing at high temperatures platinum nanoparticles are generated from the saturated state particles. Typically, the present fabrication method delivers a maximum interparticle distance of about 260 nm for well-defined crystalline platinum nanoparticles limited by deformation processes due to softening of the organic material during the plasma applications.

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From Raspberry-like to Dumbbell-like Hybrid Colloids through Surface-assisted Nucleation and Growth of Polystyrene Nodules onto Macromonomer-modified Silica Nanoparticles

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-847-ee1.1 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 847 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Etienne Duguet ◽

Stéphane Reculusa ◽

Adeline Perro ◽

Céline Poncet-Legrand ◽

Serge Ravaine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emulsion Polymerization ◽

Colloidal Particles ◽

Silica Surface ◽

Hybrid Nanoparticles ◽

Polymerization Process ◽

Seeded Emulsion Polymerization ◽

Seed Particles ◽

Controlled Morphology ◽

Modified Silica Nanoparticles ◽

Surface Modified

ABSTRACTColloidal particles with a controlled morphology combining both organic and inorganic parts were synthesized through a seeded emulsion polymerization process. Silica seed particles (from 50 to 150 nm in diameter) were first surface-modified by the adsorption of an oxyethylene-based macromonomer. Then, emulsion polymerization of styrene was carried out in presence of these particles, the formation of polystyrene nodules being highly favored at the silica surface in such conditions. The ratio between the number of silica seeds and the number of growing polystyrene nodules appeared to be one of the key parameters to control the morphology of the final hybrid nanoparticles. When this ratio is close to 1, original hybrid dumbbell-like nanoparticles were mainly obtained.

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