Fast fabrication of epoxy-functionalized magnetic polymer core-shell microspheres using glycidyl methacrylate as monomer via photo-initiated miniemulsion polymerization

Epoxy-functionalized magnetic polymer microspheres with high magnetic responsiveness were prepared through a one-step photo-initiated miniemulsion polymerization. This kind of core-shell particle can be synthesized successfully with hydrophilic monomer, glycidyl methacrylate, as a single monomer by a 10 min ultraviolet irradiation, and phase separation induced eccentric cores. The morphology of the particles was examined with a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The incorporation of magnetic particles was characterized with X-ray diffraction. The magnetic content of the microspheres was detected by both vibrating sample magnetometer and thermo-gravimetric analyzer.