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Rosetta G, Macaire L, Butters M, Finlayson CE. Dial-In Synthesis of 'Polymer Opal' Core-Interlayer-Shell Composite Nanoparticles. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3507. [PMID: 37688133 PMCID: PMC10490236 DOI: 10.3390/polym15173507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The emulsion polymerization process via which core-interlayer-shell polymer nanoparticles are synthesized is engineered to offer a crucial control of the eventual size and monodispersity of the polystyrene (PS) cores. We examine the role of key experimental parameters, optimizing the temperature, reactant purity, and agitation (stirring) rate. The subsequent addition of a poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) grafting layer and a poly(ethyl-acrylate) (PEA) shell layer produces composite particles, which are shear-orderable into opaline films, known as 'polymer opals'. We thus demonstrate pathways toward a 'dial-in' process, where the time taken to obtain the target core size is mapped to the expected resultant structural color. At reaction temperatures of 60 and 70 °C, viable conditions are found where all syntheses give an excellent level of monodispersity (polydispersity index < 0.02), suitable for interlayer and shell growth. These reports may be readily applied to a wider industrial scale fabrication pipeline for these polymeric photonic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle Rosetta
- Department of Physics, Prifysgol Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3BZ, UK
- Varichem Co., Ltd., Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, Wales NP23 4BX, UK
| | - Line Macaire
- Department of Physics, Prifysgol Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3BZ, UK
| | - Mike Butters
- Minton Treharne & Davies, Coryton, Cardiff CF14 7HY, UK;
| | - Chris E. Finlayson
- Department of Physics, Prifysgol Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3BZ, UK
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Al Najjar T, Allam NK, El Sawy EN. Anionic/nonionic surfactants for controlled synthesis of highly concentrated sub-50 nm polystyrene spheres. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:5626-5635. [PMID: 36133261 PMCID: PMC9417686 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00438g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene nanospheres are of great importance in 3D hard templating along with many other fields like pharmaceuticals and coatings. Therefore, it is important to be able to prepare polystyrene beads with different sphere sizes that suit each application. In this work, the emulsion polymerization method was used to prepare monodispersed polystyrene (PS) spheres with an average size of 50 nm, using styrene monomer, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as surfactants, and potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. The average size and size distribution of the PS spheres were controlled by optimizing the synthesis parameters such as the concentration of the monomer, initiator, and surfactant, the type of surfactant, and the time and temperature of polymerization. The shape, size, and size distribution of the prepared PS spheres were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The preparation of perfectly spherical PS spheres as small as 50 nm with a narrow size distribution is obtained using 8% styrene with (5% SDS and 2% KPS of the styrene amount) at 90 °C, with the monomer and surfactant molar ratio and concentration and the polymerization temperature being the dominating factors that affect the PS bead size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Al Najjar
- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo New Cairo 11835 Egypt
| | - Nageh K Allam
- Energy Materials Laboratory, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo New Cairo 11835 Egypt
| | - Ehab N El Sawy
- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo New Cairo 11835 Egypt
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Chaloupka T, Zubov A, Kosek J. Influence of Radical Distribution in a Polymer Particle during Emulsion Polymerization on Product Molecular Weight Distribution. Ind Eng Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Chaloupka
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandr Zubov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Juraj Kosek
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
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Adjustable polystyrene nanoparticle templates for the production of mesoporous foams and ZnO inverse opals. Colloid Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00396-020-04791-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe manifold applications of porous materials, such as in storage, separation, and catalysis, have led to an enormous interest in their cost-efficient preparation. A promising strategy to obtain porous materials with adjustable pore size and morphology is to use templates exhibiting the appropriate nanostructure. In this study, close-packed polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles, synthesized by emulsion polymerization, were used to produce porous PS and ZnO inverse opals. The size and distribution of the polystyrene nanoparticles, characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were controlled via the concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Systematic measurements of the water/styrene-interfacial tension show that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the ternary water–styrene–SDS system, which determines whether monodisperse or polydisperse PS particles are obtained, is considerably lower than that of the binary water–SDS system. The assemblies of close-packed PS nanoparticles obtained via drying were then studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and SEM. Both techniques prove that PS nanoparticles synthesized above the CMC result in a significantly unordered but denser packing of the particles. The polystyrene particles were subsequently used to produce porous polystyrene and ZnO inverse opals. While the former consists of micrometer-sized spherical pores surrounded by extended open-cellular regions of mesopores (Rpore ≈ 25 nm), the latter are made of ZnO-nanoparticles forming a structure of well-aligned interconnected pores.
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Sharma B, Striegler S. Crosslinked Microgels as Platform for Hydrolytic Catalysts. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:1164-1174. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Babloo Sharma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 345 North Campus Drive, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Susanne Striegler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 345 North Campus Drive, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
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Katzer J, Pauer W, Moritz HU, Wulkow M. Thermal Polymerization of Styrene, Part 2 - (Mini)emulsion Polymerization. MACROMOL REACT ENG 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/mren.201100081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Janíčková S, Capek I, Vaško P, Sedlák P, Capek P. Sterically stabilized emulsion polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Des Monomers Polym 2012. [DOI: 10.1163/1568555042474130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Capek I. On inverse miniemulsion polymerization of conventional water-soluble monomers. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2010; 156:35-61. [PMID: 20199767 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2010.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Inverse monomer miniemulsions can be generated by sonification of the polar monomer, water, stabilizer and costabilizer in organic solvents as the unpolar continuous phase. The inverse miniemulsion obtains its stability by using a combination of effective surfactant and osmotic pressure agent, so called lypophobe, which is practically insoluble in the continuous phase and prevents the minidroplets from Ostwald ripening. Inverse miniemulsions are typically sterically stabilized with a nonionic surfactant blend so as to provide a relatively condensed interface. The monomer droplet nucleation proceeds under an uncomplete coverage of the monomer and polymer particles with surfactant. Inverse monomer miniemulsions can be easily polymerized to latexes by using water and oil-soluble initiators. The rate of inverse miniemulsion polymerization of water-soluble monomers increased with increasing both initiator and emulsifier concentrations. The inverse polymerization is very fast and the high conversion is reached during a few minutes. The dependence of the polymerization rate vs. conversion can be described by a curve with the two rate intervals. The abrupt increase in the polymerization rate can be attributed to the increased number of reaction loci and the gel effect. The partitioning of unsaturated monomers between the aqueous and continuous phases favours the contribution of homogeneous nucleation. The desorption of monomeric radicals from the small polymer particles favours the polymerization in the continuous phase. The miniemulsion polymerization and copolymerization is ideal process for the preparation of composite nanoparticles with different structures. This procedure can be used to develop novel thermally responsive polymer microspheres, for example, based on N-isopropylacrylamide monomer. The composite magnetic nanoparticles are prepared by polymerization of both water-soluble and oil-soluble monomers in the presence of water- and oil-soluble iron oxide nanoparticles. The inverse miniemulsion copolymerization of acrylic acid and sodium acrylate in the presence of inorganic nanoparticles and substances produces poly(acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate)/inorganic phase composite nanoparticles. The presence of hydrophobic monomer in the miniemulsion system favours the formation of hollow nanoparticles. The composite latex particles owned better thermal stability and higher colloidal stability than pure latex particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignác Capek
- Slovak Academy of Sciences, Polymer Institute, Dúbravská cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Capek I, Janícková S, Donescu D, Sarov Y, Rangelow IW. Microemulsion Polymerization of Butyl Acrylate under Ultrasound Irradiation. Polym J 2006. [DOI: 10.1295/polymj.38.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Capek I. Inverse Emulsion Polymerization of Acrylamide Initiated by Oil- and Water-soluble Initiators: Effect of Emulsifier Concentration. Polym J 2004. [DOI: 10.1295/polymj.36.793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Capek I, Chudej J, Jan�?kov� S. Sterically stabilized emulsion polymerization of styrene: Pseudo-semicontinuous approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.10627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Capek I. Sterically and electrosterically stabilized emulsion polymerization. Kinetics and preparation. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2002; 99:77-162. [PMID: 12405397 DOI: 10.1016/s0001-8686(02)00005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The principal subject discussed in the current paper is the radical polymerization in the aqueous emulsions of unsaturated monomers (styrene, alkyl (meth)acrylates, etc.) stabilized by non-ionic and ionic/non-ionic emulsifiers. The sterically and electrosterically stabilized emulsion polymerization is a classical method which allows to prepare polymer lattices with large particles and a narrow particle size distribution. In spite of the similarities between electrostatically and sterically stabilized emulsion polymerizations, there are large differences in the polymerization rate, particle size and nucleation mode due to varying solubility of emulsifiers in oil and water phases, micelle sizes and thickness of the interfacial layer at the particle surface. The well-known Smith-Ewart theory mostly applicable for ionic emulsifier, predicts that the number of particles nucleated is proportional to the concentration of emulsifier up to 0.6. The thin interfacial layer at the particle surface, the large surface area of relatively small polymer particles and high stability of small particles lead to rapid polymerization. In the sterically stabilized emulsion polymerization the reaction order is significantly above 0.6. This was ascribed to limited flocculation of polymer particles at low concentration of emulsifier, due to preferential location of emulsifier in the monomer phase. Polymerization in the large particles deviates from the zero-one approach but the pseudo-bulk kinetics can be operative. The thick interfacial layer can act as a barrier for entering radicals due to which the radical entry efficiency and also the rate of polymerization are depressed. The high oil-solubility of non-ionic emulsifier decreases the initial micellar amount of emulsifier available for particle nucleation, which induces non-stationary state polymerization. The continuous release of emulsifier from the monomer phase and dismantling of the non-micellar aggregates maintained a high level of free emulsifier for additional nucleation. In the mixed ionic/non-ionic emulsifiers, the released non-ionic emulsifier can displace the ionic emulsifier at the particle surface, which then takes part in additional nucleation. The non-stationary state polymerization can be induced by the addition of a small amount of ionic emulsifier or the incorporation of ionic groups onto the particle surface. Considering the ionic sites as no-adsorption sites, the equilibrium adsorption layer can be thought of as consisting of a uniform coverage with holes. The de-organization of the interfacial layer can be increased by interparticle interaction via extended PEO chains--a bridging flocculation mechanism. The low overall activation energy for the sterically stabilized emulsion polymerization resulted from a decreased barrier for entering radicals at high temperature and increased particle flocculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignác Capek
- Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava.
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Le Meins JF, Moldenaers P, Mewis J. Suspensions in Polymer Melts. 1. Effect of Particle Size on the Shear Flow Behavior. Ind Eng Chem Res 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/ie020117r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Moldenaers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, de Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Mewis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, de Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Chern CS, Lee C. Effect of the structure of amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)-containing graft copolymers on styrene emulsion polymerization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.10243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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17
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Determination of adsorption of an ionic surfactant on latex from surface tension measurements. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0927-7757(01)00866-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Capek I, Chern CS. Radical Polymerization in Direct Mini-Emulsion Systems. ADVANCES IN POLYMER SCIENCE 2001. [DOI: 10.1007/3-540-44473-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
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Lin SY, Capek I, Hsu TJ, Chern CS. Nonconventional Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene with Mixed Anionic and Nonionic Emulsifiers. Polym J 2000. [DOI: 10.1295/polymj.32.932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Capek I, Lin SY, Hsu TJ, Chern CS. Effect of temperature on styrene emulsion polymerization in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. II. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0518(20000501)38:9<1477::aid-pola10>3.0.co;2-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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