Synthesis of asymmetric inorganic/polymer nanocomposite particles via localized substrate surface modification and miniemulsion polymerization

Asymmetric nanocomposite particle pairs of polystyrene and silica were prepared via one-step miniemulsion polymerization for the first time. The transmission electron microscopy images showed that these nanocomposite particle pairs were monodisperse and highly asymmetric in morphology. The key to obtaining the asymmetric nanocomposite particle pairs was the combination of miniemulsion polymerization and the local surface modification of silica substrates. Because of localized surface modification on the silica surface, the nucleation and formation of the polymer nodule in miniemulsion polymerization took place only in the modified area on the silica surface, thus ensuring the asymmetric morphology. The asymmetrical materials obtained by the facile and effective method will have significant potential applications in some areas including biomedical fields.