Preparation of silica/poly (methyl metracrylate) composite nanoparticles via differential microemulsion polymerization

Abstract

This research aimed to prepare silica (SiO2)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite nanoparticles via
in situ differential microemulsion polymerization process. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and
2,2’ azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) were used as an anionic surfactant and oil soluble initiatior, respectively.
The methyl methacrylate monomer feed into the reactor was provided in very small drops and the time interval
between drops was very short. Nano-SiO2 particles were first treated with 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) coupling agent to improve the particle-PMMA interfacial adhesion. The obtained composite nanoparticles were investigated for their particle size, %yield and morphology. The results showed that the nanocomposite particles had an average particle size about 40 nm. the yield of SiO2 /PMMA composite
nanoparticles was as high as 82%