Synthesis of raspberry- and confetti-like hybrid poly(styrene-co-2-vinyl pyrrolidone)/silica nanocomposite particles via alcoholic dispersion polymerization

Organic/inorganic hybrid particles with various morphologies play a critical role in the development of advanced materials. In this work, the synthesis of raspberry-like hybrid poly(styrene-co-2-vinyl pyrrolidone)/nanosilica via dispersion polymerization have been reported, 2-vinylpyridine involved added to improve the interaction of polymer and nanoparticles. The most important parameters affecting the reaction such as comonomer, cosurfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and initiator concentrations, reactions media, temperature, pH, and silica preparation method have been explored in great details. Thus micrometer-sized nanosilica-stabilized latex particles were successfully produced in alcoholic media in the presence of an alcoholic silica sol as the sole stabilizing agent. Raspberry-like nanoparticles synthesized using both methanol and isopropanol as dispersion media, and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator, and an operational window for the established process. Moreover for the first time, confetti-like hybrid polymer/nanosilica particles synthesized use minor amounts of CTAB in methanol, and isopropanol based media. These particles contain potential applications in drug delivery and medical uses, and in the preparation of various polymer nanocomposites as well. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3363-3376, 2018. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers