Synthesis, characterization and gold loading of polystyrene-poly(pyridyl methacrylate) core-shell latex systems

In this research, novel 3-(2-pyridyl)propyl methacrylate and 3-(3-pyridyloxy)propyl methacrylate monomers were synthesized and emulsion polymerized on colloidal polystyrene seeds, resulting in core-shell latex systems. The cores and the core-shell particles were characterized by static light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the core-shell particles. Monodisperse beads with a regular core-shell internal structure were found. The pyridine-functional shells were loaded with HAuCl4 and irradiated with UV light to reduce the salts to metallic gold. FTIR, UV-Vis, TEM and XPS were employed to monitor the metal loading and reduction processes. Core-shell systems, decorated with gold nanoparticles, were obtained. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.