Fabrication of Polymer Microspheres Using Titania as a Photocatalyst andPickering Stabilizer

摘要

Facile photocatalytic emulsion polymerization was developed to fabricate polystyrene (PS) micro-spheres using a transparent anatase titania hydrosol both as a photocatalyst and stabilizer. Underthe appropriate conditions, PS microspheres with a well-defined particle size distribution can be easilyproduced Qom 100 to 830 nm. The effects of cross-linking agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA)and coupling agent acrylic acid (AA) on the particle size and the size distribution of PS microsphereswere investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), andother characterization means. It is proven that EGDMA and AA play importance roles in the morphologyof microspheres. In addition, AA bonds a large number of titania nanoparticles on the surface of PSmicrospheres because its carboxyl group forms inorganic armored polymer microspheres. This interfacialinteraction between titania nanoparticles and PS chains causes the elevated glass-transition temperatureof microspheres.