Preparation and electrophoretic response of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) coated TiO2 nanoparticles for electronic paper application

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were encapsulated with poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PMMA-co-MAA) via simple method of coacervation, in order to improve the dispersion stability of the nanoparticles in a dielectric medium and to reduce the density mismatch between TiO₂ and a dielectric medium for a electrophoretic display application. The morphology of PMMA-co-MAA coated TiO₂ nanoparticles were observed via SEM and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). It was found that density of PMMA coated TiO₂ nanoparticles were reduced by coating process via gas pycnometer. Electrophoretic mobility of the fabricated nanoparticles in a low dielectric medium with charge control agent was measured via electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotometer for potential application in electronic paper technology.