Preparation and characterization of core-shell polystyrene and polymethylsilsesquioxane structure latex particles by seeded polymerization

Composite polystyrene and polymethylsilsesquioxane (PS-PMSSQ) latices were prepared by hydrolysis and polycondensation of triethoxylmethylsilane (TEOMS) in the presence of PS seed latices, obtained by gamma ray induced polymerization. Morphology of the composite latex particles was observed by transmission electronic microscopy and their size distribution was measured by dynamic laser light scattering. It was found that if 1 wt% silicon-containing surfactant (SCS) and 0.4 wt% dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (DBSA) were both used, core-shell/PS-PMSSQ latex particles could be prepared at 30 degrees C. The core-shell structure was further characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. With 0.5 wt% SCS or 0.2 wt% DBSA, the capsulation was incomplete. At 0 and 90 degrees C, the PMSSQ phase penetrated into the seed particles. No core-shell structure was observed when DBSA was replaced by hydrochloric acid or SCS was replaced by poly(ethylene glycol) monooctylphenyl ether. (C) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry.