Production of multi-hollow polymer particles by the stepwise acid/alkali method

 Recently, we reported that multi-hollow polymer particles can be prepared from carboxylated polymer particles by the stepwise alkali/acid method. In this article, an attempt was made to prepare similar particles from acid-swellable polymer particles by the stepwise treatment with acid and alkali, which was named the stepwise acid/alkali method. The acid-swellable particles were produced by emulsion terpolymerization of styrene, butyl acrylate, and dimethyl 2-amino ethyl methacrylate. The effects of initial pH value, temperature, and time in the acid and alkali treatment processes on the multi-hollow structure were examined. Received: 18 December 1996 Accepted: 11 March 1997     

Formation mechanism of a multihollow structure within submicron-sized styrene/methacrylic acid copolymer particles by the stepwise acid/alkali method

 The formation mechanism of a multihollow structure within submicron-sized styrene/methacrylic acid copolymer particles by the stepwise alkali/acid method, which we proposed in 1990, was discussed thermodynamically from the viewpoint of interfacial free energy. Received: 6 March 2001 Accepted: 17 May 2001     

INFLUENCES OF ACID POST-TREATMENT ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF SOAPFREE P（MMA-EA-MAA） PARTICLES PREPARED BY SEEDED EMULSION POLYMERIZATION

Soap-free poly（methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate-methacrylic acid） latex particles with narrow size distribution were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization, and the porous particles were created by a stepwise alkali/acid treatment method. Effects of acid treatment conditions on the particle morphology were investigated. Results show that one to three pores were formed inside most of particles after post-treatment. At pH 7.0, when the treatment temperature was lower than 70℃, the size of particles and the volume of pores remained almost unchanged, and these two values increased significantly when the temperature was higher than 70℃. Both the particle size and the pore volume decreased with the increase of initial pH value and treatment time in the acid treatment. As the pH was below 4.0 and the treatment time was longer than 180 min, the particles shrunk in size.     

Variation of the morphology of a carboxylated polymer film by alkali treatment

The variation of the morphology of a carboxylated polymer film cast from tetrahydrofuran solution, in which styrene/methacrylic acid copolymer particles produced by emulsion copolymerization were dissolved, before and after alkali treatment at temperatures higher than the glass-transition temperature was observed with a scanning electron microscope. The treated film had a porous structure. This result provides important evidence for the formation mechanism of the multihollow structure in submicron-sized, carboxylated polymer emulsion particles by the stepwise alkali/acid method and the alkali/cooling method which the authors proposed.     

Estimation of water absorption state within ionized carboxylated polymer particles with high sensitive differential scanning calorimetry

Glass transition temperature (Tg) of submicron-sized, carboxylated polymer particles dispersed in aqueous media, which were prepared by emulsion copolymerization of styrene, iso-butyl methacrylate, or methyl methacrylate with methacrylic acid, was measured at alkali or acidic pH region with a power compensation-type high sensitive differential scanning calorimeter. The Tg of relatively hydrophilic polymer particles was obviously decreased by the neutralization of the carboxyl groups with KOH, whereas that of hydrophobic polymer particles was not changed though water was absorbed therein. These results indicate that water absorption state, which means not only the amount of water absorption but also the heterogeneity of the ionized carboxylated polymer particles, markedly depends on the hydrophilicity of their base polymers. This strongly supports the formation mechanism of multihollow particles by the stepwise alkali/acid or the alkali/cooling treatments of carboxylated polymer particles proposed by the authors.Part CCLXIX of the series, “Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.”     

Production of submicron-sized multihollow polymer particles having high transition temperatures by the stepwise alkali/acid method

Submicron-sized multihollow styrene-methacrylic acid (92.6/7.4, molar ratio) copolymer particles having high transition temperature above 100°C were produced by using the stepwise alkali/acid method proposed by the authors. The original particles were prepared by emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methacrylic acid. The effects of pH, temperature and time in the alkali treatment process as the first step on the multihollow structure were clarified under the same acid treatment conditions.Part CLII of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion     

Production of multihollow polymer particles by the stepwise alkali/acid method IV. Acid treatment process

The effects of pH, temperature and time in the acid-treatment process on the multihollow structure formed within submicron-sized monodispersed polymer particles by the stepwise alkali/acid method proposed by the authors were examined in detail. The original particles were produced by emulsifier-free emulsion terpolymerization of styrene, butyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid. It was clarified that the number and the size of hollows per particle were drastically changed by the acid treatment conditions as well as those in the alkali treatment process.Part CXLV of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion     

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     

P(St-EAE-MAA)共聚物多孔微球的合成

利用无皂种子乳液聚合法合成了以聚苯乙烯(St)为骨架、丙烯酸乙酯(EA)和甲基丙烯酸(MAA)为共聚单体的P(St-EA-MAA)共聚物乳液;乳液经碱酸分步处理法制得共聚物多孔微球.考查了MAA用量和碱酸处理温度对微球形态的影响.     

Influence of nonionic emulsifier included inside carboxylated polymer particles on the formation of multihollow structure by the alkali/cooling method

The influence of nonionic emulsifier, included inside styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer [P(S-MAA)] particles during emulsion copolymerization, on the formation of multihollow structure inside the particles via the alkali/cooling method (proposed by the authors) was examined in comparison to emulsifier-free particles. It was clarified that the nonionic emulsifier included inside the P(S-MAA) particles eased the formation of multihollow structure.Part CCL of the series studies on suspension and emulsion     

Production of submicron-sized multihollow polymer particles by alkali/cooling method

Submicron-sized styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer particles, which were produced by emulsion copolymerization, were changed to those having multihollow structure by treating stepwise the emulsion as follows. First alkali treatment was carried out at higher temperature than the glass transition temperature and subsequently the emulsion was cooled by keeping it at room temperature. This was named alkali/cooling method. The effects of methacrylic acid content, pH, time and temperature in the alkali treatment on the formation of multihollow structure were clarified.Part CLV of the series Studies on suspension and emulsion     

Morphology control of soap-free seeded P(St-EA-AA) latex particles

Soap-free poly(styrene-ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid) latex particles with narrow size distribution and with surface carboxyl groups were synthesized by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization, and the particles with homogeneous multihollow structure were obtained after alkali posttreatment. Effects of treatment conditions and crosslinking agents on particle morphology were investigated. Results showed that the multihollow structure can be formed inside the uncrosslinked particles only when the treatment temperature exceeded 50 °C, the pH was higher than 10.0, the amount of 2-butanone was more than 3.0 ml and the treatment time was longer than 30 min. Furthermore, the volume expansion of the particles increased with the temperature increased to 90 °C, the pH to 12.5 or the amount of 2-butanone to 7.0 ml, and this value increased first and then decreased with the treatment time prolonged. Fine pores can be generated in the shell of particles crosslinked by 0.2 g of ethyl glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA), while no hollow structure formed inside particles when 0.4 g of EGDMA or 0.2 g of divinyl benzene was used.     

种子乳液聚合法制备多孔乳胶粒

用批量乳液聚合法制备了苯乙烯（Ｓｔ）———甲基丙烯酸甲酯（ＭＭＡ）二元共聚种子乳液Ｓ１以及Ｓｔ ＭＭＡ 丙烯酸（ＡＡ）三元共聚种子乳液Ｓ２,通过连续法无皂种子乳液聚合合成了一系列不同ＡＡ或ＭＡＡ（甲基丙烯酸）含量的Ｓｔ、ＭＭＡ三元共聚乳液．将所得复合胶乳进行碱／酸分步处理,得到具有多孔结构的乳胶粒．用透射电镜对胶粒形态进行了表征,考察了不饱和酸种类和用量、碱处理初始ｐＨ值及溶胀剂对胶粒成孔的影响．     

Polypyrrole/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) thermosensitive and electrically conductive composite microgels

The electrically conductive polypyrrole/dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (PPy/DBSA/poly(NIPAAm‐co‐AA)) composite microgels were synthesized by a chemical oxidation of pyrrole in the presence of DBSA as the primary dopant, and poly(NIPAAm‐co‐AA) microgels as the polymeric codopant and template, in which APS was used as the oxidant. It was proposed to prepare “intelligent” polymer microgel particles containing both thermosensitive and electrically conducting properties. The polymerization of pyrrole took place directly inside the microgel networks, leading to formation of composite microgels and the morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope. PPy particles interacted strongly with microgels, as the acid groups of microgels acted as the polymeric codopant. The composite microgels thus formed showed electrically conducting behavior dependent on humidity and temperature. At temperatures lower than lower critical solution temperature, the conductivity decreased with increasing the humidity and a small hysteresis phenomenon was observed. The hysteresis became indistinct when temperature was near volume phase transition temperature. However, after the treatment of high temperature and high humidity, the conductivity increased surprisingly due to the structure reorganization inside the composite microgels. The distinctive functionality of the PPy composite microgels was expected to be utilized in many attractive applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1648–1659, 2006     

The generation of void morphology inside soap-free P(MMA-EA-MAA) particles prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization

Monodisperse soap-free P(MMA-EA-MAA) latex particles were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA) and methacrylic acid (MAA), and the particles with void morphology were obtained after undergoing alkali post-treatment. Effects of treatment conditions on particle morphology were investigated. Results showed that the void particles can be obtained under the conditions of the temperature >60 degrees C, initial pH >10.0, treatment time >20 min and 2-butanone amount >2.0 ml. The particle volume and the void size increased to the maximum and then decreased with the increases of initial pH and the treatment time, and these two values increased monotonously with the treatment temperature or 2-butanone amount increased. When the treatment temperature was elevated to 90 degrees C, the treatment time was longer than 180 min, or the 2-butanone amount was more than 8.0 ml, the relatively small voids inside most of the particles combined together to form a large one. The void structure disappeared completely as the initial pH was higher than 12.0. The generation mechanism of the void morphology was discussed.     

高羧基含量无皂多孔聚合物乳胶粒的研究

功能性聚合物乳液的性能与其功能基的含量密切相关. 采用完全无皂种子乳液聚合技术合成了具有不同羧基含量并且粒径分布均一的交联型聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯-丙烯酸乙酯因为甲基丙烯酸 [P(MMA-EA-MAA)]乳胶粒, 然后通过碱后处理, 制备出了高羧基含量的无皂多孔P(MMA-EA-MAA)乳胶粒. 系统研究了MAA对聚合反应、胶粒特性及胶粒多孔结构形态的影响. 结果表明: 在交联剂二乙烯基苯用量一定(0.3 g)的条件下, 随着MAA用量从4.0 mol%增加到 10.0 mol%, 聚合物交联程度(P_x)从28.26%迅速增大至90.95%, 当其用量超过10.0 mol%后P_x增大趋势变缓; 随着MAA用量的增加, 处理后胶粒体积膨胀百分率(ΔV)逐渐增大, 在MAA用量为12.0 mol%时ΔV达到42.1%的最大值, 当MAA用量增大到14.0 mol%时, 尽管P_x高达95.44%, 胶粒仍具有完好的孔状结构.     

微波辐照制备多孔乳胶粒

在微波辐照的条件下，通过间歇无皂种子乳液聚合，制得聚[苯乙烯－甲基丙烯酸甲酯－丙烯酸]复合乳液。将所得复合胶乳进行碱／酸分段处理，得到具有多孔结构的乳胶粒。用透射电镜对胶粒形态进行了表征，研究了不饱和酸用量、碱处理初始pH值及碱处理时间对胶粒成孔的影响。     

Combined effects of Ca2+ and humic acid on colloid transport through porous media

We report the separate and combined effects of humic acid and Ca²⁺ ions on the transport of colloidal particles through a sand-packed column. Polystyrene latex particles with a sulfate functional group were used as model colloids. The concentrations of both the inlet solution and the effluent solutions were measured during each experimental run. Breakthrough curves were obtained by taking the ratios of each effluent sample concentration to the inlet solution concentration. In the absence of humic acid, the results indicate that increasing the concentration of Ca²⁺ increases particle attachment to the sand, thus causing decreased transport rates of latex particles through the porous bed matrix. Once 4 mg/l humic acid was added to the system, changes were observed in the effect that Ca²⁺ has on latex particle breakthrough. In a system containing calcium, increasing the humic acid concentration was shown to reduce particle attachment and increase transport rates. In the absence of calcium, the ratios for the outlet-to-inlet concentrations were similar for each concentration of humic acid. The electrophoretic mobility was also measured in order to determine the role of electrostatic repulsion in the latex particle transport. The electrophoretic mobility of the latex particles was found to be dependent on humic acid concentration in the absence of Ca²⁺ but not in its presence. Received: 2 February 2001 Accepted: 6 2001     

Morphological evolution of multistage polymer particles in the alkali post-treatment

Multistage carboxyl-containing polymer latex particles were synthesized by multistep emulsion copolymerization using methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), methacrylic acid (MAA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and styrene (St) as raw materials, and the latex particles with diverse morphologies including multihollow, hollow and “bowl-like” were obtained by post-treating the multistage latex particles under alkali condition. The morphological evolution of the particles in the alkali post-treatment process was characterized with electron microscopy, and effects of alkali treatment conditions including treatment temperature, time as well as initial pH on particle morphology were investigated. Results indicated that the alkali treatment temperature and initial pH were the key parameters to control the morphology of the treated particles. When the alkali treatment temperature was below 60 °C or the initial pH was lower than 8.5, the particle morphology was almost unchanged no matter how long the treatment time was prolonged. The multihollow and hollow particles could be formed as alkali treatment temperature exceeded 60 °C in the range of initial pH from 8.8 to 9.5. While the latex particles with “bowl-like” morphology were observed when the multistage latex was alkali treated at 90 °C for 3 h with initial pH 9.8. Furthermore, extending alkali treatment time was beneficial to get the swelling equilibrium of the latex particles.     

A multinuclear solid-state magnetic resonance study of the interactions between the inorganic and organic coatings of BaSO4 submicronic particles

Silica-coated BaSO4 submicronic particles, modified on the surface by treatment with stearic acid, have been characterized by means of 29Si, 13C, and 1H magic-angle-spinning (MAS) high-resolution techniques, and low-resolution 1H-FID analysis. Two types of adsorbed water were identified; adsorbed either inside or on the surface of BaSO4, most of the latter being removed by the silica coating. Evidences of silica-stearic acid interactions were found involving either carboxylic acid or carboxylate functional groups, and occurring by means of hydrogen and/or covalent bonds. Stearic acid was present as monolayer only, its chain being mostly rigid, even though a small fraction was subjected to fast inter-conformational motions.