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     

Polymerizable Molecular Silsesquioxane Cage Armored Hybrid Microcapsules with In Situ Shell Functionalization

We prepared core–shell polymer–silsesquioxane hybrid microcapsules from cage‐like methacryloxypropyl silsesquioxanes (CMSQs) and styrene (St). The presence of CMSQ can moderately reduce the interfacial tension between St and water and help to emulsify the monomer prior to polymerization. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and TEM analysis demonstrated that uniform core–shell latex particles were achieved. The polymer latex particles were subsequently transformed into well‐defined hollow nanospheres by removing the polystyrene (PS) core with 1:1 ethanol/cyclohexane. High‐resolution TEM and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis showed that the final nanospheres possessed hollow cavities and had porous shells; the pore size was approximately 2–3 nm. The nanospheres exhibited large surface areas (up to 486 m² g^?1) and preferential adsorption, and they demonstrated the highest reported methylene blue adsorption capacity (95.1 mg g^?1). Moreover, the uniform distribution of the methacryloyl moiety on the hollow nanospheres endowed them with more potential properties. These results could provide a new benchmark for preparing hollow microspheres by a facile one‐step template‐free method for various applications.     

Impact modification of thermoplastics by methyl methacrylate and styrene-grafted natural rubber latexes

The preparation and characterization of polymer blends with structured natural rubber (NR)-based latex particles are presented. By a semicontinuous emulsion polymerization process, a natural rubber latex (prevulcanized or not) was coated with a shell of crosslinked polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polystyrene (PS). Furthermore, core–shell latexes based on a natural rubber/crosslinked PS latex semi-interpenetrating network were synthesized in a batch process. These structured particles were incorporated as impact modifiers into a brittle polymer matrix using a Werner & Pfleiderer twin screw extruder. The mechanical properties of PS and PMMA blends with a series of the prepared latexes were investigated. In the case of PMMA blends, relatively simple core (NR)–shell (crosslinked PMMA) particles improved the mechanical properties of PMMA most effectively. An intermediate PS layer between the core and the shell or a natural rubber core with PS subinclusions allowed the E-modulus to be adjusted. The situation was different with the PS blends. Only core–shell particles based on NR-crosslinked PS latex semi-interpenetrating networks could effectively toughen PS. It appears that microdomains in the rubber phase allowed a modification of the crazing behavior. These inclusions were observed inside the NR particles by transmission electron microscopy. Transmission electron photomicrographs of PS and PMMA blends also revealed intact and well-dispersed particles. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces allowed us to distinguish PS blends reinforced with latex semi-interpenetrating network-based particles from blends with all other types of particles.     

Effect of an anionic monomer on the pickering emulsion polymerization stabilized by titania hydrosol

Polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite particles with high titania content are prepared by Pickering emulsion polymerization. A self‐made titania hydrosol modified by an anionic monomer sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS) is used as a stabilizer and photocatalyst. The stability of the emulsion system is greatly improved by the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged NaSS and positively charged titania nanoparticles. The nanocomposite spheres with the diameter of around 120 nm are highly charged, indicating titania‐rich surfaces of latex particles. It is also proven by the field‐emission transmission electron microscope and field‐emission scanning electron microscope images. The well‐defined core‐shell structure of the obtained PS/titania composite particles is confirmed by the formation of fragile hollow titania nanospheres after thermogravimetric analysis tests. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5728–5736, 2009     

Preparation of porous/hollow particles of phenolic resin

Porous/hollow polymer microparticles were prepared by suspension polymerization from a resol, water‐soluble phenolic resin in a multiple emulsion system oil‐in‐water‐in‐oil(O/W/O). The porous/hollow structures of phenolic resin microparticle were characterized by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is shown that the porous/hollow structure is related to a dispersion and curing process of the resol resin. It was indicated that it is low‐cost and simple to prepare porous/hollow phenolic resin micr‐particles from resol in an O/W/O system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A facile method for the preparation of monodisperse hollow silica spheres with controlled shell thickness

This article presents a facile, effective, mild synthesis process for well‐defined hollow spheres by using cationic polystyrene (PS) submicro‐particles as templates. In this approach, the cationic PS templates can be first prepared via emulsifier‐free polymerization by using the cationic monomer 2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyltrimethylammonium chloride as comonomer, then, the silica shells from the sol‐gel process of tetraethoxysilane were coated on the surfaces of template particles via electrostatic interaction, finally the PS was dissolved in situ by modification of the reaction conditions in the same medium to form monodisperse hollow silica spheres with controlled shell thickness. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscope measurements were used to characterize these hollow silica spheres. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1332–1338, 2010     

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     

Effects of surfactants on the morphology of composite polymer particles produced by two‐stage seeded emulsion polymerization

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–polystyrene (PS) composite polymer particles were synthesized in the presence of a surfactant by two‐stage seeded emulsion polymerization. The first stage was the synthesis of PMMA particles by soapless emulsion polymerization; the second stage was the synthesis of the PMMA–PS composite polymer particles with the PMMA particles as seeds. In the second stage of the reaction, three kinds of surfactants—sodium laurate sulfate (SLS), polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), and sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20)—were used to synthesize the PMMA–PS composite particles. Both the properties and concentrations of the surfactants influenced the morphology of the composite particles significantly. Core–shell composite particles, with PS as the shell and PMMA as the core, were synthesized in the presence of a low concentration of the hydrophilic surfactant SLS. This result was the same as that in the absence of the surfactant. However, a low concentration of Tween 20 led to composite particles with a core/strawberry‐like shell morphology; the core region was a PS phase, and the strawberry‐like shell was a PS phase dispersed in a PMMA phase. With an increase in the concentration of SLS, the morphology of the composite particles changed from core (PMMA)–shell (PS) to core (PS)–shell (PMMA). Moreover, the effects of a high concentration of Tween 20 or Span 20 on the morphology of the PMMA–PS composite particles were investigated in this study. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2224–2236, 2005     

Surface modification of polystyrene latex particles via atom transfer radical polymerization

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique using the copper halide/ N,N′,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine complex was applied to the graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate on the uniform polystyrene (PS) seed particles and formed novel core‐shell particles. The core was submicron crosslinked PS particles that were prepared via emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization. The crosslinked PS particles obtained were transferred into the organic phase (tetrahydrofuran), and surface modification using the chloromethylation method was performed. Then, the modified seed PS particles were used to initiate ATRP to prepare a controlled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) shell. The final core‐shell particles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elementary analysis. The grafting polymerization was conducted successfully on the surface of modified crosslinked PS particles, and the shell thickness and weight ratio (PMMA and PMA) of the particles were calculated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 892–900, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10160     

Chromatographic performance of molecularly imprinted polymers: Core‐shell microspheres by precipitation polymerization and grafted MIP films via iniferter‐modified silica beads

In this work, two different surface imprinting formats have been evaluated using thiabendazole (TBZ) as model template. The first format is a thin film of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) grafted from preformed silica particles using an immobilized iniferter‐type initiator (inif‐MIP). The second format is molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres with narrow particle size distribution and core‐shell morphology prepared by precipitation polymerization in a two‐step procedure. For the latter format, polymer microspheres (the core particles) were obtained by precipitation polymerization of divinylbenzene‐80 (DVB‐80) in acetonitrile. Thereafter, the core particles were used as seed particles in the synthesis of MIP shells by copolymerization of DVB‐80 and methacrylic acid in the presence of TBZ in a mixed solvent porogen (acetonitrile/toluene). The materials were characterized by elemental microanalysis, nitrogen sorption porosimetry and scanning (and transmission) electron microscopy. Thereafter, the imprinted materials were assessed as stationary phases in liquid chromatography. From this study it can be concluded that grafted MIP beads can be obtained in a simple and direct manner, consuming only a fraction of the reagents used typically to prepare imprinted particles from a monolithic imprinted polymer. Such materials can be used in the development of in‐line molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1058–1066, 2010     

Hollow‐particle latexes: Preparation and properties

Hollow‐particle latexes were prepared according to the following stages: (1) the preparation of the methyl methacrylate–methacrylic acid (MAA)–ethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymer ( I ) latex, (2) the preparation of a shell ( II ) based on polystyrene or styrene–acrylonitrile–divinyl benzene copolymer polymerized onto copolymer ( I ) particles, and (3) the neutralization of the core ( I ) carboxyl groups with a base (NH₄OH or NaOH) at temperatures close to the glass‐transition temperature of the polymer ( II ). The neutralization resulted in the expansion of the particles and formed water‐filled hollow particles. The microspheres had an overall diameter of 460–650 nm and a hollow diameter of 300–450 nm. Rheological studies and particle size measurements by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering of the copolymer ( I ) latex indicate that the maximum particle swelling occurred at an approximately equimolar MAA/base ratio. It was found that even without the neutralization of the MAA units, a small hollow formation in the latex particles occurred during stage 2 because one volume of the copolymer ( I ) retained about 8 volume parts of water. It was also discovered that the final hollow‐particle geometry after neutralization depends on the shell copolymer thickness and type as well as on the conditions during stage 3, that is, the time, temperature, base type, and concentration. The opacifying ability of the synthesized hollow particles was investigated in latex coatings. The opacifying ability values were generally in agreement with the hollow‐particle geometry. The only exception was related to the copolymer ( I )/copolymer ( II ) ratio. The maximum hollow volume was obtained at this value equal to 1/8, whereas the highest opacifying ability was observed at 1/10. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1435–1449, 2001     

Synthesis and characteristics of poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) thermosensitive composite hollow latex particles and their application as drug carriers

In this work, the poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) thermosensitive composite hollow latex particles was synthesized by a three‐step reaction. The first step was to synthesize the poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) (poly(MMA‐MAA)) copolymer latex particles by the method of soapless emulsion polymerization. The second step was to polymerize methacrylic acid (MAA), N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide in the presence of poly(MMA‐MAA) latex particles to form the linear poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid)/crosslinking poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm)) core–shell latex particles. In the third step, the core–shell latex particles were heated in the presence of ammonia solution to form the crosslinking poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) thermosensitive hollow latex particles. The morphologies of poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) core–shell latex particles and poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) hollow latex particles were observed. The influences of crosslinking agent and shell composition on the lower critical solution temperature of poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) core–shell latex particles and poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) hollow latex particles were, respectively, studied. Besides, the poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) thermosensitive hollow latex particles were used as carriers to load with the model drug, caffeine. The effect of various variables on the amount of caffeine loading and the efficiency of caffeine release was investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 5203–5214     

Synthesis and characterization of dual‐responsive micrometer‐sized core‐shell composite polymer particles

Dual‐responsive micrometer‐sized core‐shell composite polymer particles were prepared by dispersion polymerization followed by seeded copolymerization. Polystyrene (PS) particles prepared by dispersion polymerization were used as core particles. N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were used to induce dual‐responsive that is thermo‐ and pH‐responsive properties in the shell layer of composite polymer particles, prepared by seeded copolymerization with PS core particles. Temperature‐ and pH‐dependent adsorption behaviors of some macromolecules on composite polymer particles indicate that produced composite polymer particles exhibit dual‐responsive surface properties. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characteristics of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid)/Fe3O4/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) two‐shell thermosensitive magnetic composite hollow latex particles

In this study, the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐methylacrylate acid)/Fe₃O₄/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐methylacrylate acid) (poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄/poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)) two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles were synthesized by four steps. The poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methylacrylate acid) (poly(MMA‐MAA)) copolymer latex particles were synthesized first. Then, the second step was to polymerize NIPAAm, MAA, and crosslinking agent in the presence of poly(MMA‐MAA) latex particles to form the linear poly(MMA‐MAA)/crosslinking poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) core–shell latex particles. Then, the core–shell latex particles were heated in the presence of NH₄OH to dissolve the linear poly(MMA‐MAA) core to form the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) hollow latex particles. In the third step, the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were generated in the presence of poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) hollow polymer latex particles and formed the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄ magnetic composite hollow latex particles. The fourth step was to synthesize poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) in the presence of poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄ latex particles to form the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄/poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles. The effect of various variables such as reactant concentration, monomer ratio, and pH value on the morphology and volume‐phase transition temperature of two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles was studied. Moreover, the latex particles were used as carriers to load with caffeine, and the caffeine‐loading characteristics and caffeine release rate of latex particles were also studied. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2880–2891     

Synthesis of TiO2–SiO2/polymer core–shell microspheres with a microphase‐inversion method

A novel microphase‐inversion method was proposed for the preparation of TiO₂–SiO₂/poly(methyl methacrylate) core–shell nanocomposite particles. The inorganic–polymer nanocomposites were first synthesized via a free‐radical copolymerization in a tetrahydrofuran solution, and the poor solvent was added slowly to induce the microphase separation of the nanocomposite and result in the formation of nanoparticles. The average particle sizes of the microspheres ranged from 70 to 1000 nm, depending on the reaction conditions. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated a core–shell morphology for the obtained microspheres. Thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed that the surface of the nanocomposite microspheres was polymer‐rich, and this was consistent with the core–shell morphology. The influence of the synthetic conditions, such as the inorganic composition and the content of the crosslinking monomer, on the particle properties was studied in detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3911–3920, 2006     

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.     

Synthesis and characteristics of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid)/poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) thermosensitive semi‐hollow latex particles and their application to drug carriers

In this work, the poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid)/poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) thermosensitive composite semi‐hollow latex particles was synthesized by three processes. The first process was to synthesize the poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) (poly (MMA‐MAA)) copolymer latex particles by the method of soapless emulsion polymerization. The second process was to polymerize methacrylic acid (MAA), N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), and crosslinking agent, N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide, in the presence of poly(MMA‐MAA) latex particles to form the linear poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid)/crosslinking poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm)) core–shell latex particles with solid structure. In the third process, part of the linear poly(MMA‐MAA) core of core–shell latex particles was dissolved by ammonia to form the poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) thermosensitive semi‐hollow latex particles. The morphologies of the semi‐hollow latex particles show that there is a hollow zone between the linear poly(MMA‐MAA) core and the crosslinked poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) shell. The crosslinking agent and shell composition significantly influenced the lower critical solution temperature of poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) semi‐hollow latex particles. Besides, the poly(MMA‐MAA)/poly(MAA‐NIPAAm) thermosensitive semi‐hollow latex particles were used as carriers to load with the model drug, caffeine. The processes of caffeine loaded into the semi‐hollow latex particles appeared four situations, which was different from that of solid latex particles. In addition, the phenomenon of caffeine released from the semi‐hollow latex particles was obviously different from that of solid latex particles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3441–3451     

Electrorheological properties of carbon nanotube/polyelectrolyte self‐assembled polystyrene particles by layer‐by‐layer assembly

Sulfonated polystyrene (PS) particles were prepared by the sulfonation of PS microspheres with H₂SO₄. Then, composite particles were synthesized by layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly with funtionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (fMCNTs) and polyelectrolytes on sulfonated PS particles. The amount of fMCNTs on PS particles was adjusted by controlling the number of fMCNT layers by LbL self‐assembly. Composite particles were characterized by ζ‐potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. The electrorheological (ER) properties of composite particles in insulating oil was investigated with varying the number of fMCNT layers under controlled electric fields. It was observed that the number of fMCNT layers was a critical factor to determine the ER properties of composite particles. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1058–1065, 2008     

Highly magnetic latexes from submicrometer oil in water ferrofluid emulsions

The synthesis of functionalized submicrometer magnetic latex particles is described as obtained from a preformed magnetic emulsion composed of organic ferrofluid droplets dispersed in water. Composite (polystyrene/γ‐Fe₂O₃) particles were prepared according to a two‐step procedure including the swelling of ferrofluid droplets with styrene and a crosslinking agent (divinyl benzene) followed by seeded emulsion polymerization with either an oil‐soluble [2,2′‐azobis(2‐isobutyronitrile)] or water‐soluble (potassium persulfate) initiator. Depending on the polymerization conditions, various particle morphologies were obtained, ranging from asymmetric structures, for which the polymer phase was separated from the inorganic magnetic phase, to regular core–shell morphologies showing a homogeneous encapsulation of the magnetic pigment by a crosslinked polymeric shell. The magnetic latexes were extensively characterized to determine their colloidal and magnetic properties. The desired core–shell structure was efficiently achieved with a given styrene/divinyl benzene ratio, potassium persulfate as the initiator, and an amphiphilic functional copolymer as the ferrofluid droplet stabilizer. Under these conditions, ferrofluid droplets were successfully turned into superparamagnetic polystyrene latex particles, about 200 nm in size, containing a large amount of iron oxide (60 wt %) and bearing carboxylic surface charges. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2642–2656, 2006     

Latex and hollow particles of reactive polypyrrole: preparation, properties, and decoration by gold nanospheres

Polypyrrole-coated polystyrene latex particles bearing reactive N-amino functional groups (PS-PPyNH2) were prepared by the in-situ copolymerization of pyrrole (Py) and the active amino-functionalized pyrrole (PyNH2) in the presence of 1.33 microm-diameter polystyrene (PS) latex particles. These particles were prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene using poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), PNVP, as a steric stabilizer. The functionalized polypyrrole-coated PS particles (PS-PPyNH2) were characterized in terms of their particle size and surface morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) detected pyrrole-NH2 repeat units at the surface of the latex particles, indicating that this monomer had indeed copolymerized with pyrrole. The core-shell structure of the PS-PPyNH2 particles was confirmed by etching the polystyrene core in THF, leading to the formation of hollow conducting polymer capsules. The PS-PPyNH2 particles were then decorated with citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles via electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, etching of the polystyrene core resulted in the formation of gold-decorated PPyNH2 hollow capsules.