Decomposing Oil-Soluble Initiators in Particles: A Template-Free Method for the Preparation of Hollow Polymer and Silica Particles

Nanovoids contained in hollow particles render them potential drug carriers. However, conventional methods for the synthesis of these particlhes involve complex processes. In this study, we developed a template-free method for the synthesis of hollow polymer and silica particles by initially preparing polystyrene core particles containing 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile) (V-59) through soap-free emulsion polymerization. The subsequent generation of nitrogen gas inside these particles upon the decomposition of V-59 at 70 degrees C led to the formation of voids. In addition, silica shells were synthesized on the surfaces of the V-59-containing polystyrene core particles through a sol-gel reaction at 40 degrees C, following which voids were formed by the decomposition of V-59 at 70 degrees C. The developed method involves straightforward steps and is environmentally friendly, as it does not require the use of surfactants, organic solvents, or templates.