Synthesis of core–shell polystyrene nanoparticles by surfactant free emulsion polymerization using macro-RAFT agent

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 354; no. 2; pp. 506 - 510
• Main Authors: Yeole, Niranjan, Hundiwale, Dilip, Jana, Tushar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 15-02-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chain transfer; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Colloids; Core–shell particles; Emulsion polymerization; emulsions; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; hydrophilicity; latex; Macro-RAFT agent; Nanoparticles; particle size; particle size distribution; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; polymerization; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; polystyrenes; RAFT polymerization; Reagents; styrene; Styrenes; Surfactant free emulsion polymerization; Surfactants; Synthesis; transmission electron microscopy; Macro-RAFT agent; RAFT polymerization; Polystyrene; Core–shell particles; Surfactant free emulsion polymerization; Water; Particle size; End group; Nanoparticle; Polymer; Surfactant; Core-shell particles; Colloid; Latex; Fragmentation; Sulfonate; Particle; Particle size distribution; Transmission electron microscopy; Synthesis; Emulsion polymerization; Sodium; Morphology; Styrene polymer
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2010.11.021

The harsh sulfonation approach for forming core (polystyrene)-shell (polystyrene sulfonate) nanoparticles has been replaced with a novel surfactant free emulsion polymerization using macro-RAFT agent.
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► Synthesis of core (polystyrene)-shell (polystyrene sulfonate) nanoparticles. ► Surfactant free emulsion polymerization using macro-RAFT agent. ► Harsh sulfonation method has been replaced.
Novel approach for the synthesis of core–shell polystyrene nanoparticles by living hydrophilic polymer consisting of thiocarbonyl thio end group is reported. The surfactant free emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of macro-RAFT (reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer) agent is carried out to synthesize stable latex particles with smaller particle size. A macro-RAFT agent is prepared by homopolymerization of sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS) in aqueous phase by using dithioester as chain transfer agent. This synthesized polystyrene sulfonate–sodium (PSS–Na) based macro-RAFT agent, which is essentially water soluble macromolecular chain transfer agent used for the surfactant-free batch emulsion polymerization of styrene. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of the synthesized colloids shows the narrow particle size distribution with core–shell morphology.