Reparation of silica/poly(methacrylic acid)/poly(divinylbenzene-co-methacrylic acid) tri-layer microspheres and the corresponding hollow polymer microspheres with movable silica core

 Hollow poly(divinylbenzene-co-methacrylic acid) (P(DVB-co-MAA)) microspheres were prepared by the selective dissolution of the non-crosslinked poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) mid-layer in ethanol from the corresponding silica/PMAA/P(DVB-co-MAA) tri-layer hybrid microspheres, which were afforded by a three-stage reaction. Silica/PMAA core-shell hybrid microspheres were prepared by the second-stage distillation polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) via the capture of the oligomers and monomers with the aid of the vinyl groups on the surface of 3-(methacryloxy)propyl trimethoxysilane (MPS)-modified silica core, which was prepared by the Stöber hydrolysis as the first stage reaction. The tri-layer hybrid microspheres were synthesized by the third-stage distillation precipitation copolymerization of functional MAA monomer and divinylbenzene (DVB) crosslinker in presence of silica/PMAA particles as seeds, in which the efficient hydrogen-bonding interaction between the carboxylic acid groups played as a driving force for the construction of monodisperse hybrid microspheres with tri-layer structure. The morphology and the structure of silica core, silica/PMAA core-shell particles, the tri-layer hybrid microspheres and the corresponding hollow polymer microspheres with movable silica cores were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

Cagelike polymer microspheres with hollow core/porous shell structures

Submicron‐scaled cagelike polymer microspheres with hollow core/porous shell were synthesized by self‐assembling of sulfonated polystyrene (PS) latex particles at monomer droplets interface. The swelling of the PS latex particles by the oil phase provided a driving force to develop the hollow core. The latex particles also served as porogen that would disengage automatically during polymerization. Influential factors that control the morphology of the microspheres, including the reserving time of emulsions, polymerization rate, and the Hildebrand solubility parameter and polarity of the oil phase, were studied. A variety of monomers were polymerized into microspheres with hollow core/porous shell structure and microspheres with different diameters and pore sizes were obtained. The polymer microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 933–941, 2007     

Fabrication of hydroxyl group modified monodispersed hybrid silica particles and the h-SiO(2)/TiO(2) core/shell microspheres as high performance photocatalyst for dye degradation

The monodisperse hybrid silica particles (h-SiO(2)) were firstly prepared by a modified sol-gel process and the surface was modified in situ with double bonds, then abundant carboxyl moieties were introduced onto the surface of the silica core via thiol-ene click reaction. Afterward, the h-SiO(2)/TiO(2) core/shell microspheres were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutoxide (TBOT) via sol-gel process in mixed ethanol/acetonitrile solvent, in which the activity of TBOT could be easily controlled. The carboxyl groups on the surface of silica particles promote the formation of a dense and smooth titania layer under well control, and the layer thickness of titania could be tuned from 12 to 100nm. The well-defined h-SiO(2)/TiO(2) core/shell structures have been confirmed by electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. After calcination at 500°C for 2h, the amorphous TiO(2) layer turned into anatase titania. These anatase titania-coated silica particles showed good photocatalytic performance in degradation of methyl orange aqueous solution under UV light.     

Fabrication of hollow silica microspheres utilizing a hydrothermal approach

Hollow silica microspheres(HSMSs) have been successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal route using D-glucose as the sacrificial template and sodium silicate powder as the silica precursor.The resulting silica hollow particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and infrared spectroscopy(IR).The surface area was determined using the BET method.SEM and TEM images exhibited micro-sized silica hollow particles with a size of ~1.5μm.     

Dual latex/surfactant templating of hollow spherical silica particles with ordered mesoporous shells

Hollow spherical silica particles with hexagonally ordered mesoporous shells are synthesized with the dual use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and unmodified polystyrene latex microspheres as templates in concentrated aqueous ammonia. In most of the hollow mesoporous particles, cylindrical pores run parallel to the hollow core due to interactions of CTAB/silica aggregates with the latices. Effects on the product structure of the CTAB:latex ratio, the amount of aqueous ammonia, and the latex size are studied. Hollow particles with hexagonally patterned mesoporous shells are obtained at moderate CTAB:latex ratios. Too little CTAB causes silica shell growth without surfactant templating, and too much induces nucleation of new mesoporous silica particles without latex cores. The concentration of ammonia must be large to induce co-assembly of CTAB, silica, and latex into dispersed particles. The results are consistent with the formation of particles by addition of CTAB/silica aggregates to the surface of latex microspheres. When the size and number density of the latex microspheres are changed, the size of the hollow core and the shell thickness can be controlled. However, if the microspheres are too small (50 nm in this case), agglomerated particles with many hollow voids are obtained, most likely due to colloidal instability.     

Influence of surfactant concentration on the surface morphology of hollow silica microspheres and its explanation

The surface morphology of hollow silica microspheres has influence on their applications. After a thorough investigation of the deposition of silica nanoparticles on polystyrene (PS) beads and the surface morphology and texture of the resultant hollow silica shells with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and N2-sorption measurements, the influence of surfactant [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)] concentration on the surface morphology of hollow silica microspheres templated by PS beads is explained. Previously, CTAB was believed to turn the surface charge of PS beads from negative into positive so that negatively charged silica could be deposited on the PS template. Here, we show CTA+ cations preferentially assemble with silica species to form silica-CTA+ composite nanoparticles. Since the zeta potential of silica-CTA+ composite nanoparticles is smaller than that of pure silica nanoparticles, these composite nanoparticles encounter less repulsion when they are deposited on the surface of PS beads and close to each other. As more CTAB is added, the silica-CTA+ nanoparticles are less negatively charged, and more compact and smooth hollow silica microspheres are obtained.     

Facile preparation of monodisperse hollow cross‐linked chitosan microspheres

We have successfully prepared biocompatible and biodegradable hollow microspheres using carboxyl‐functionalized polystyrene particles as core template and the chitosan cross‐linked with glutaraldehyde as the shell. The monodisperse carboxyl‐functionalized polystyrene particles were made by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization. The structure, morphology, and constitution of the carboxyl‐functionalized polystyrene particles were characterized by FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The structure, morphology, and formation process of the hollow cross‐linked chitosan microspheres were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The results revealed that the latex particles were removed by exposed to solvent and the microspheres exhibited the hollow structure. This work confirmed that the hollow microspheres were accomplished by fabricating on the basis of chemical cross‐linking on the surface of the carboxyl‐functionalized polystyrene particles and then removing off the cores of particles. Moreover, with the increase of carboxyl‐functionalization degree at the surface of latexes and the increase of cross‐linking period, the thicker and firmer monodisperse hollow microspheres were obtained. In addition, a water‐soluble drug, salicylic acid, encapsulated in the microcapsules slowly released at pH 1.2. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 228–237, 2008     

pH-Responsive hollow polymeric microspheres and concentric hollow silica microspheres from silica-polymer core-shell microspheres

Nearly monodispersed silica-poly(methacrylic acid) (SiO 2-PMAA) core-shell microspheres were synthesized by distillation-precipitation polymerization from 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate-silica (SiO 2-MPS) particle templates. SiO 2-PMAA-SiO 2 trilayer hybrid microspheres were subsequently prepared by coating of an outer layer of SiO 2 on the SiO 2-PMAA core-shell microspheres in a sol-gel process. pH-Responsive PMAA hollow microspheres with flexible (deformable) shells were obtained after selective removal of the inorganic SiO 2 core from the SiO 2-PMAA core-shell microspheres by HF etching. The pH-responsive properties of the PMAA hollow microspheres were investigated by dynamic laser scattering (DLS). On the other hand, concentric and rigid hollow silica microspheres were prepared by selective removal of the PMAA interlayer from the SiO 2-PMAA-SiO 2 trilayer hybrid microspheres during calcination. The hybrid composite microspheres, pH-sensitive hollow microspheres, and concentric hollow silica microspheres were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis.     

Preparation of low-density 90Y microspheres consisting of mesoporous silica core/yttria shell: a potential therapeutic agent for hepatic tumors

A new low-density silica core/yttria shell microspheres was developed for medical purposes. For preparing the core of this material, sol-emulsion-gel method was used. It was then calcined at 1,000 °C to increase the strength of the mesoporous beads. After cooling, it was added into a solution containing the mixture of yttrium chloride and urea. Under these circumstances, yttrium chloride can decompose to yttrium basic carbonate particles by the gradual hydrolysis of urea. These particles are able to deposit on the surface of mesoporous silica beads. Different coated samples were prepared under various pH, temperature and stirring conditions. Samples were heated to convert yttrium basic carbonate to yttria. The resulting silica core/yttria shell microspheres was characterized by laser diffractometer, scanning electron and optical microscopy techniques. It was found the pH of silica sols, aging time and Span-80 play important role in the stage of mesoporous bead preparation. Furthermore, the findings showed the heating of core/shell microspheres was essential for the ultimate strength of the shell. The in vitro chemical durability tests showed the release of yttrium ion in two simulated body fluids at pH 6 and 7 was negligible after 4 weeks.     

Surfactant templating effects on the encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles within silica microspheres

Hollow silica microspheres encapsulating ferromagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a surfactant-aided aerosol process and subsequent treatment. The cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) played an essential role in directing the structure of the composite. Translation from mesoporous silica particles to hollow particles was a consequence of increased loading of ferric species in the precursor solution and the competitive partitioning of CTAB between silicate and ferric colloids. The hypothesis was that CTAB preferentially adsorbed onto more positively charged ferric colloids under acidic conditions. At a critical Fe/Si ratio, most of the CTAB was adsorbed onto ferric colloids and coagulated the colloids to form larger clusters. During the aerosol process, a silica shell was first formed due to the preferred silicate condensation on the gas-liquid interface of the aerosol droplet. Subsequent drying concentrated the ferric clusters inside the silica shell and resulted in a silica shell/ferric core particle. Thermal treatment of the core shell particle led to encapsulation of a single iron oxide nanoparticle inside each silica hollow microsphere.     

Surface fabrication of hollow microspheres from N-methylated chitosan cross-linked with glutaraldehyde

We have successfully prepared biocompatible and biodegradable hollow microspheres with sizes between 2 and 5 mum using cyclohexane droplets as a template and the N-methylated chitosan (NMC) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GA) as the shell. The structure, morphology, and formation process of the hollow microspheres were characterized by FT-IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed that the microspheres exhibited a very smooth and hollow structure. This work confirmed that the hollow microspheres were accomplished by fabricating on the basis of chemical cross-linking on the surface of the emulsion droplets and by removing cyclohexane as core. The results from SEM and TEM indicated that the emulsion droplets covered with cross-linked NMC in the oil-in-water system aggregated together to form a precipitate of microspheres by coagulating with acetone. Moreover, the cross-linked NMC on the surface of the microspheres continuously cured to form the tight shell, whereas the inner area became a cavity with increase of the aging time, leading to the hollow microspheres. In addition, an anti-infective drug, ofloxacin (Floxin), encapsulated in the microspheres more rapidly released to reach 90 wt % at pH 7.4 within 8 h than at pH 1.2.     

Preparation and characterization of monodisperse porous silica microspheres with controllable morphology and structure

A novel method for the preparation of monodisperse porous silica microspheres with controllable morphology and structure is reported. The starting porous polymer microspheres were first functionalized with ethylenediamine (EDA) to generate amino groups. Subsequently, silica nanoparticles were deposited in the porous polymer microsphere to form polymer/silica hybrid microspheres via a modified sol‐gel process in the presence of tetra‐n‐butylammonium bromide (TBAB) or tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH). Upon calcination of the polymer/silica hybrid microspheres, the porous silica microspheres were obtained. The morphology, inner structure, and properties of the porous silica microspheres were studied by field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and mercury intrusion method. The results show that the presence of TBAB or TMAH in the process not only prevents the agglomeration of the hybrid microspheres, but also governs the controllable morphology from a porous inner structure to a hollow‐cage structure. The obtained porous silica microspheres exhibit no shrinkage from the polymer microspheres with a yield of around 98%. These porous silica microspheres have potential applications in the fields of chromatography, catalyst, and biology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Preparation of hollow silica microspheres with controlled shell thickness in supercritical fluids

This article presents a novel route to prepare hollow silica microspheres with well-defined wall thickness by using cross-linked polystyrene (PS) microspheres as templates with the assistance of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂). In this approach, the cross-linked PS templates can be firstly prepared via emulsifier-free polymerization method by using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or divinylbenzene as cross-linkers. Then, the silica shell from the sol–gel process of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) which was penetrated into the PS template with the assistance of SC-CO₂ was obtained. Finally, the hollow silica spheres were generated after calcinations at 600 °C for 4 h. The shell thickness of the hollow silica spheres could be finely tuned not only by adjusting the TEOS/PS ratio, which is the most frequently used method, but also by changing the pressure and aging time of the SC-CO₂ treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize these hollow silica spheres.     

Effect of initiation site location on morphology of polymer microspheres via pickering polymerization

A novel way is introduced to control polymerization routes and morphology of final polymer microspheres during the Pickering polymerization. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)‐modified silica and different initiators are used simultaneously to determine the initiation location, nucleation step, and morphology of final particles. As Pickering stabilizer, the CTAB‐modified silica is characterized by dynamic light scattering. The size and distribution of the oil droplets stabilized by the silica nanoparticles is observed by optical microscopy. The resulted silica/polymer composite microspheres are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The silica content is measured by thermogravimetric analysis. It is proven that both surface property of inorganic particles and type of initiators can greatly affect the polymerization routes and the morphology of the obtained polymer microspheres. Detailed formation mechanisms of several kinds of polymer particles are also proposed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

A new polypyrrole/maghemite hybrid as a lithium insertion electrode

A new polypyrrole (PPY)/maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) hybrid was prepared by modification of the surface of maghemite nanoparticles using polymerization of pyrrole on the surface. Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies have proven that it was only a surface modification, keeping the core structure unchanged. Transmission electron micrographs have shown the presence of PPY on the intergrain surface between maghemite particles, leading to reduction of particle aggregation. The electrochemical lithium capacity has increased up to 270 mAh/g in the potential range between 1.3 and 4.3 V vs. Li at 8 mA/g. The modified samples showed an enhanced cyclability compared to the pristine one.     

Effects of shell composition,dosage and alkali type on the morphology of polymer hollow microspheres

Polymer hollow microspheres were prepared by performing alkali treatment on the multilayer core/shell polymer latex particles containing carboxyl groups. Effects of the shell composition and dosage as well as alkali type on the morphology of the microspheres were investigated. Results showed that in comparison with acrylonitrile(AN) and methacrylic acid(MAA), using butyl acrylate(BA) as the shell co-monomer decreased the glass transition temperature(T_g) of shell effectively and was beneficial to the formation of uniform and big hollow structure. Along with the increase of the shell dosage, the alkali-treated microspheres sequentially presented porous and hollow morphology, and the size of microspheres increased, while the hollow diameter increased first and then decreased, and the maximum hollow ratio reached 39.5%. Furthermore, the multilayer core/shell microspheres had better tolerance to NH_3·H_2O than to NaOH. When the molar ratio of alkali to methacrylic acid(MR_(alkali/acid)) for Na OH ranged from 1.15 to 1.30 or MRalkali/acid for NH_3·H_2O ranged from 1.30 to 2.00, the regular polymer hollow microspheres could be obtained.     

空心玻璃微珠/TiO2复合微球的制备及其性能研究

本文以脲为沉淀剂,通过化学沉淀法成功实现了锐钛矿型二氧化钛壳层在空心玻璃微珠表面的可控组装,从而制备出玻璃/二氧化钛核壳空心微球,并通过XRD、SEM、EDX和拉曼光谱对其结构、形貌、粒径、壳厚和化学组成进行了表征.提出了二氧化钛在空心玻璃微珠表面的定向生长的可能机制和形成过程.     

Synthesis of a Au/silica/polymer trilayer composite and the corresponding hollow polymer microsphere with a movable Au core

Gold/silica/poly(N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide) (Au/SiO2/polyMBAAm) trilayer composite materials were prepared by distillation precipitation polymerization of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAAm) in the presence of Au/SiO2 particles as seeds, in which the seeds were prepared by a combination of gold-complexing and silane coupling agent with a further modified St?ber method. The polymerization of MBAAm was performed in neat acetonitrile with 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator to encapsulate the Au/SiO2 seeds driven by the hydrogen-bonding interaction between the hydroxyl group on the surface of the seeds and the amide unit of polyMBAAm without modification of the Au/SiO2 surface in the absence of any stabilizer or surfactant. Hollow polyMBAAm microspheres with movable Au cores were further developed by the selective removal of the middle silica layer with hydrofluoric acid. The resultant trilayer Au/SiO2/polyMBAAm composite and hollow polyMBAAm microspheres with movable Au cores were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The diffusion of chemicals across the polyMBAAm shell was investigated by a catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride as a reductant.     

Preparation of styrene/acrylic acid copolymer microspheres: polymerization mechanism and carboxyl group distribution

 Poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (St/AA) copolymer microspheres were prepared by batch emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of St with AA. The monomer conversion, the morphology and the composition of the particles along the polymerization process were monitored by a gravimetric method, transmission electron microscopy observation and Fourier transform IR analysis, respectively. A shift of the polymerization locus from inside the particles to “outside” the particles in the postnucleation stage was proposed. The results of the study of the distribution of carboxyl groups by a combination of elemental and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses implied a core/shell structure for the St/AA copolymer microspheres. By chemical metal deposition, nickel particles were formed and deposited on the surface of St/AA microspheres, forming polymer/metal composite particles. Received: 16 February 2001 Accepted: 8 August 2001     

Biomimetic synthesis of raspberry-like hybrid polymer–silica core–shell nanoparticles by templating colloidal particles with hairy polyamine shell

The nanoparticles composed of polystyrene core and poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDEA) hairy shell were used as colloidal templates for in situ silica mineralization, allowing the well-controlled synthesis of hybrid silica core–shell nanoparticles with raspberry-like morphology and hollow silica nanoparticles by subsequent calcination. Silica deposition was performed by simply stirring a mixture of the polymeric core–shell particles in isopropanol, tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) and water at 25 °C for 2.5 h. No experimental evidence was found for nontemplated silica formation, which indicated that silica deposition occurred exclusively in the PDEA shell and formed PDEA–silica hybrid shell. The resulting hybrid silica core–shell particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry, aqueous electrophoresis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. TEM studies indicated that the hybrid particles have well-defined core–shell structure with raspberry morphology after silica deposition. We found that the surface nanostructure of hybrid nanoparticles and the composition distribution of PDEA–silica hybrid shell could be well controlled by adjusting the silicification conditions. These new hybrid core–shell nanoparticles and hollow silica nanoparticles would have potential applications for high-performance coatings, encapsulation and delivery of active organic molecules.