Estimation of heterogeneous surface structure of submicron-sized,composite polymer particles consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components by atomic force microscopy*

Surface structure of submicron-sized poly(styrene/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) P(S/HEMA)] composite particles produced by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization was estimated with atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM force curves were measured in water at different points of the particle surface; it was clarified that the particle surface had a heterogeneous structure consisting of hard and soft parts, which must be, respectively, based on styrene-rich and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-rich parts.