Preparation of Monodispersed Polymer Microspheres by SPG Membrane Emulsification‐Solvent Evaporation Technology

The membrane emulsification coupled with solvent evaporation was adopted to prepare monodispersed polystyrene (PS) microspheres. Firstly, stable oil‐in‐water emulsion has been successfully obtained by pressing PS solution through SPG membrane into continuous phase at appropriate pressures. Then monodispersed PS microspheres with size of 2–20 µm were obtained following the removal of solvent. The size of the PS microspheres was strongly dependent on the mean pore size of SPG membrane and concentration of PS solution. Furthermore, the effect of emulsion stability, operation pressure and emulsifier on the size and size distribution of microspheres were systemically investigated. Finally, the surface character of PS microspheres was examined via SEM.     

Dielectrophoretic assembly of grain-boundary-free 2D colloidal single crystals

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) force-assisted assembly of a colloidal single photonic-crystal monolayer in a microfluidic chamber was demonstrated. Negative DEP force with a high-frequency AC electric field induced the compression of colloidal microspheres to form a colloidal crystal domain at the center of a hexapolar-shaped electrode. While typical assembly by monotonic DEP force forms multicrystalline domains containing crystal defects, repetitions of the DEP/relaxation cycle significantly facilitated crystal growth of 10μm monodispersed polystyrene microspheres, allowing a grain-boundary-free single-crystal monolayer domain of ca. 200μm in size. Microsphere size as well as size distribution affected the formation of the single-crystal domain. A simple method was used to immobilize the single-crystal domain on the glass substrate without losing its crystallinity.     

蒸发自组装法制备聚苯乙烯胶体晶体

采用乳液聚合法制得亚微米级聚苯乙烯单分散微球,并用蒸发自组装法在乳液气-液界面进行自上而下的层层组装,制得了厚度在450μm以上的三维有序胶体晶体。结果表明,影响胶体晶体有序性的关键因素是对蒸发速度的控制,促使胶体晶体规则排列的最主要作用力为溶液的毛细管力。在胶体晶体组装末期,随着溶剂量的减少,空间阻力逐渐增大,微球对流能力下降,造成胶体晶体的有序性降低。     

Synthesis of nano-sized magnetic colloidal particles from ferrous salts and hydroxylated poly(butyl methacrylate-b-glycidyl methacrylate)

Poly(butyl methacrylate-b-glycidyl methacrylate) is used to prepare magnetic nanoparticles from ferrous salts. The structural identification of synthesized colloidal particles and bulk magnetite is performed via X-ray diffraction. Magnetic hysteresis studies show that the obtained microspheres are specified as soft magnetic materials. Microspheres have a ferrite core and a polymer shell. The size and size dispersion of the microspheres decrease with the total concentration of ferrous salts. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

单分散聚苯乙烯微球的制备及表征

应用膜乳化-液中干燥法成功制备出粒径为2～20μm的单分散聚苯乙烯(PS)微球.PS微球的粒径主要由膜孔径决定,其值约为膜孔径的2倍;PS溶液的浓度对其也有一定的影响.膜乳化过程中的压力对微球粒径的分散性有很大的影响,在一定压力范围内,粒径呈单分散.在分散相中加入致孔剂,制备出表面多孔的PS微球.采用复乳-液中干燥法制备出中空PS微球.     

Superabsorbent poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) hydrogel microspheres: Preparation,characterization and absorbency

Poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) (P(AM-co-IA)) hydrogel microspheres were prepared via inverse suspension polymerization method. DLS results showed the formation of the monodispersed hydrogel microspheres. The size of the hydrogel microspheres could be controlled by polymerization parameters. Absorbencies of P(AM-co-IA) microspheres in water and saline were investigated and calculated by size changes of each particle before and after swelling. The results showed that P(AM-co-IA) had high absorbencies, the weight of swollen particles was above 4000 times to that of the original dried microspheres. The superabsorbent hydrogel microspheres might find the potential applications in the fields of soil amendments, water shutoff agents, and drug delivery carriers.     

花形ZnO纳米片微球的合成、表征及光催化性能

以ZnCl2和尿素为原料,采用水热法合成了由纳米片组成的花形微球碱式碳酸锌前驱体,然后在300℃下煅烧0.5 h得到了形貌一致的ZnO产物。采用XRD、FTIR、TG、SEM、TEM、XPS对其进行表征,结果表明产物为六方纤维矿结构ZnO;组成3D花型微球的纳米片构筑单元厚度为10 nm,表面呈孔装结构,比表面积为72 m2.g-1。分别以花形ZnO纳米片、单分散ZnO纳米片和商用ZnO纳米颗粒为光催化剂,通过降解罗丹明B(Rh B)进行了光催化活性研究。结果表明,与商用ZnO纳米颗粒相比,水热法制备的花形ZnO纳米片显示了更好的光催化活性,可能是由于花形ZnO纳米片微球有较高的比表面积和3D花形形貌所致。     

Self-etching reconstruction of hierarchically mesoporous F-TiO2 hollow microspherical photocatalyst for concurrent membrane water purifications

We report a large-scale self-etching approach for the synthesis of monodispersed mesoporous F-TiO2 hollow microspheres. The self-etching derived from HF was elucidated by the morphology, chemical composition, and crystal size evolutions from solid to hollow microspheres with the increase in the concentration of H2SO4. The resulting TiO2 hollow microspheres exhibited ease for the concurrent membrane filtration and photocatalysis, providing high potential for engineering application in advanced water treatment, for not only increasing water production but also improving water quality.     

Correlative studies on the fabrication of poly(styrene-methyl-methacrylate-acrylic acid) colloidal crystal films

This research describes a one-step procedure for monodispersed poly(styrene-methyl-methacrylate-acrylic acid colloidal spheres [P(St-MMA-AA)] via soap-seeded emulsion polymerization. The effects ofreaction conditions such as temperature, stirring speed, initiation concentration, e.t.c. were examined. The results obtained showed that the spheres average particle diameter decreased with increase in initiator concentration, the reaction temperature and stirring speed and increased with an increase in monomer concentrations. The particles show stable mechanical properties within the transition and heating temperatures of 111.9?°C and 388?°C respectively. Zeta-potential values ranging from ?31.8?mV to ?36.5?mV which is indicative of stable dispersion of colloidal particles were obtained for all the prepared latexes. The assembled colloidal latex had periodic structures with mainly hexagonal three-dimensional structures with multi-facet arrangements. The latex also shows spherical shape of monodispersed core-shell particles.     

Colloidal crystals formed by aqueous suspensions of monodispersed silica, polystyrene, and poly(methyl methacrylate) colloidal spheres

Colloidal crystals consisted of silica, polystyrene, and poly(methyl methacrylate) monodispersed suspensions; deionized sufficiently in water at the same condition; were formed; and their properties were compared changing sphere diameter and volume fraction systematically. The size of these colloidal crystals was maximized at their critical sphere concentration irrespective of their sphere size. The Bragg peak wavelengths of these colloidal crystals were uniquely determined only by the sphere diameter and volume fraction for all kinds of colloidal spheres used in this work. The larger the sphere volume fraction, the larger the crystal growth rates, and there were no significant differences among the colloidal spheres. The rigidity of colloidal crystals increased in proportion to the number density of spheres. Consequently, the crystallization mechanism and properties of colloidal crystals formed by these spheres are not dependent on the kind of spheres, but they are dependent only on the sphere diameter and number density.     

Formation of a polymer particle monolayer by continuous self-assembly from a colloidal solution

The preparation of two-dimensional monolayers of polymer particles over a large area was demonstrated via a facile solution process. Polymer microspheres were continuously self-assembled into a close-packed monolayer from a colloidal solution confined between two plates such that the top plate was carefully dragged at a constant velocity in the direction opposite that of the monolayer growth. In situ direct observation of the particle movement during the coating process confirmed that particle transport was directed toward the contact line of the solution meniscus by evaporation-induced convective flow. Sliding of the top plate apparently effectively counterbalanced the convective flow to provide the particles with a contact line for growth of a monolayer particle array. The influence of particle concentration, sliding speed of the top plate, and surface wettability of the bottom substrate were investigated and optimized. Monolayer particle arrays were successfully demonstrated as a template for the preparation of ZnO films with ordered hollow hemispherical structures. This approach is applicable to the fabrication of ordered structures of monodispersed particles composed of various materials over large areas.     

Synthesis of monodispersed poly(acrylonitrile) microspheres by dispersion polymerization in compressed liquid dimethyl ether

In this study, monodispersed spherical particles of poly(acrylonitrile) were synthesized via dispersion polymerization in compressed liquid dimethyl ether using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator and five kinds of surfactants: PDMS-g-pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid (Monasil PCA™), PDMS modified surfactants, SS-5050K™, KF-6017™, poly(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10- heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate), and poly(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate). Using Monasil PCA as a surfactant, uniform and spherical polymer particles were generated. The size of the microsphere particles was reduced via an increase in the concentration of Monasil PCA and a reduction in the monomer concentration. Increases in the concentration of AIBN resulted in a broad distribution of microspheres. Reaction temperature and pressure did not exert significant effects on the size and size distribution of the polymer particles.     

Preparation of monodispersed microporous SiO2 microspheres with high specific surface area using dodecylamine as a hydrolysis catalyst

A novel and simple method for the synthesis of monodispersed microporous SiO₂ microspheres with high specific surface area was developed by hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a water-ethanol mixed solution and using dodecylamine (DDA) as hydrolysis catalyst and template. The as-prepared products were characterized with differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, small angle X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption. The effects of experimental conditions including hydrolysis temperatures, calcination temperature and concentrations of TEOS and DDA on the morphology and pore parameters of the as-prepared SiO₂ microspheres were investigated and discussed. The results showed that hydrolysis temperature and concentrations of TEOS and DDA are important parameters for the control of size and morphology of particles. The specific surface area and specific pore volume of the as-prepared SiO₂ microspheres increased with increasing DDA concentration and calcination temperature. DDA may act not only as a good hydrolysis catalyst but also as a template for the formation of monodispersed SiO₂ microspheres with high specific surface area. This research may provide new insight into the synthesis of monodispersed microporous SiO₂ microspheres.     

A comparison of clay colloid and artificial microsphere transport in natural discrete fractures

Transport of monodispersed buoyant 1-mum latex microspheres, dense 1.34-microm montmorillonite particles, Li(+) and Br(-) was investigated in a naturally fractured chalk core with an average equivalent hydraulic aperture of 183 microm. Studied parameters were: tracer arrival time, C/C(0) values, mass recovery, size distribution and the impact of initial concentration. Breakthrough time of both colloidal tracers was faster than that of the soluble tracers. Significantly lower recovery and slightly slower breakthrough time were observed for the clay particles relative to the microspheres, apparently mainly due to the former's higher density, resulting in preferential gravitational settling of the clay particles. However, variable surface charge and nonuniform shape and size of the clay particles may also play a role in the observed differences. From the theoretical scale ratio, the time interval calculation seems to be a major factor in colloid recovery. Clay-particle size fractionation was observed (0.62 vs 1.34 microm at the outflow and inflow, respectively), and there was no significant influence of the initial concentration (100 and 500 mg/L) on transport properties. Our observations indicate that colloid density is a dominant property for their transport in fractures. This work emphasizes the need for caution when the results of studies in which buoyant colloids are used as tracers are extrapolated to natural systems in which clay colloids are present.     

Controllable preparation of nanoparticle-coated chitosan microspheres in a co-axial microfluidic device

In this work, we describe a novel and simple microfluidic method for fabricating nanoparticle-coated chitosan microspheres. Uniform droplets of aqueous chitosan solution were dispersed into an oil phase containing partially hydrophilic nanoparticles via a co-axial microfluidic device. Recirculating flow in the continuous phase in the area between drops enhanced mixing and allowed the nanoparticles to coat the surface of the droplets as they passed through the channel. The chitosan droplets were then crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and nanoparticle-coated microspheres were obtained. SEM characterization shows that the microspheres are monodispersed with uniform nanoparticle distribution on the surface. The dispersity, size and composition of the microspheres could all easily be controlled by changing the microfluidic flow parameters and three different types of nanoparticles were successfully used to synthesize hybrid microspheres to demonstrate the method's versatility.     

Graft copolymers having hydrophobic backbone and hydrophilic branches. X. Preparation and properties of water-dispersible polyanionic microspheres having poly(methacrylic acid) branches on their surfaces

The free radical copolymerization of poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) macromonomer with styrene in ethanol give monodispersed microspheres with 0.8-1.6 μm diameter. The resulting microspheres were treated with HCl solution to convert into anionic microspheres having poly(methacrylic acid) chains. ESCA analysis of the microsphere surface suggested that PBMA chains were favorably located on the surface of the microspheres. The particle size of the microspheres decreased with increasing molecular weight and concentration of the macromonomer. Water dispersibilities of the microspheres were evaluated by measuring the relative turbidity of the suspension of microspheres as a function of pH. The results show that they were strongly dependent on pH. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

FABRICATION OF PHOTONIC CRYSTAL WITH SUPERLATTICES

1. INTRODUCTION The very latest subject of physics to surface in biology is the photonic crystal, which is ordered, subwavelength structured material capable of controlling the propagation of light in the similar manner as which atomic crystal control electrons [1,2]. Due to the application of the photonic crystal in laser, integrated optical circuit, it attracted great attention in the past decade. Photonic crystals can be fabricated by microfabrication methods, holographic methods, and c…     

FABRICATION OF PHOTONIC CRYSTAL WITH SUPERLATTICES

A novel technique was used to fabricate three-dimensional photonic crystals with superlattices. The super structure was fabricated by assembling monodispersed microspheres in the grooves of the scales of morpho butterfly, which makes the photonic crystal being composed of two kinds of different photonic structures (natural groove structure of butterfly wing and artificial microspherical colloids arrangement). The superstructural photonic crystal exhibits some unique optical properties different from both the butterfly wing and the colloidal crystal. The approach exhibited here provides a new way for fabricate photonic crystals with superlattices.     

Studies on Monodispersed Microspheres of Zinc Sulfide Doped with Mn^2＋

In this paper,zinc acetate,manganese acetate and thiacetamide are used as raw materials to successfully synthesize monodispersed ZnS:Mn2+ microspheres by using hydrothermal method and taking P123 surfactant as a template. The products were characterized by XRD,STEM,FT-IR and N2 adsorption-desorption. And the results show that the diameter of this microsphere is 1.0 μm or so,which is larger than that of ZnS microsphere without Mn2+ doping,and it has monodispersion,smooth surface and uniform size. The doping of Mn2+ does not obviously change the structure of monodispersed ZnS microsphere. The photoluminescence peak lies in a wide band ranging from 450 to 650 nm,and the microspheres emit orange light; with the increase of Mn2+ concentration,fluorescence intensity of ZnS:Mn2+ microsphere changes,and when the mole ratio of Mn2+:Zn2+ is 0.3:1,the fluorescence intensity is the strongest.     

Narrow‐disperse,cross‐linked polymer microspheres by one‐step dispersion polymerization with a chain transfer agent

The increasing demand for monodispersed cross‐linked polymers in high‐quality applications requires continuous improvement in their preparation process. In this study, an appropriate amount of a chain transfer agent was added to a traditional cross‐linking system, resulting in the preparation by one‐step dispersion polymerization of cross‐linked polystyrene (PS) microspheres with a particle size of 3.867 μm and a diameter coefficient of variation of 0.011. The particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an Ubbelohde viscometer. The results show that the tertiary dodecyl mercaptan (TDDM) chain transfer during nucleation increases the oligomer concentration, promotes the aggregation of the oligomers, increases the primary particle size, and reduces the cross‐linking effect. This controls the volume of cross‐linked chains in the primary particles, thus avoiding the problem of poor dispersion of the polymer microspheres due to the introduction of divinylbenzene (DVB). This study produces a preparation method for cross‐linked microspheres.