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Polyacrylate‐core/TiO 2 ‐shell nanocomposite particles prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization
Author(s) -
Ai Zhaoquan,
Sun Guilin,
Zhou Qilong,
Xie Changsheng
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.24312
Subject(s) - nanocomposite , materials science , emulsion polymerization , anatase , chemical engineering , ammonium persulfate , colloid , coating , polymerization , emulsion , in situ polymerization , transmission electron microscopy , polymer chemistry , persulfate , polymer , photocatalysis , composite material , nanotechnology , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , engineering
We report the preparation of polyacrylate‐core/TiO 2 ‐shell nanocomposite particles through in situ emulsion polymerization in the presence of nano‐TiO 2 colloid obtained by the hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride. The resultant colloidal system can be stable for months without any precipitation. In a typical sample, the diameter of nanocomposite particles was about 150 nm, and the thickness of TiO 2 ‐shell was 4–10 nm. Only cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was employed to provide the latex particles with positive charge, which was enough for the formation of fine TiO 2 coatings. Three initiators were tested. Ammonia persulfate was the most suitable one, because the cooperative effect was formed by the negatively charged TiO 2 particles and the terminal anionic group (SO 4 2− , the fraction of Ammonia persulfate) of the polymer chain on the surface of latex particles to maintain the stability of nanocomposite system. The pH value played a vital role in obtaining a tight TiO 2 coating. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Atomic force microscopy were used to characterize this nanocomposite material. It was found that rutile and anatase coexisted in the nanocomposite film. This may suggest a potential application in the field of photocatalytic coating. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1466–1470, 2006