Preparation and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)/titanium oxide composite particles

• Published in: Colloid and polymer science Vol. 284; no. 3; pp. 243 - 250
• Main Authors: Yang, Mingjiao, Dan, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.12.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atoms & subatomic particles; Composites; Differential scanning calorimetry; Emulsion polymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fourier transforms; Grafting; Particulate composites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymerization; Polymethyl methacrylates; Technology of polymers; Titanium dioxide; Transmission electron microscopy; Surface reaction; Graft polymerization; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Poly(methyl methacrylate); Ultraviolet absorption; Experimental study; Composite particles; In-situ emulsion polymerization; Free radical polymerization; Emulsion polymerization; Optical properties; Morphology; Preparation; Titanium oxide; Graft polymers
• ISSN: 0303-402X; 1435-1536
• DOI: 10.1007/s00396-005-1356-8

Before polymerization, the introduction of double bonds onto the surface of the TiO^sub 2^ particles was achieved by the treatment of the TiO^sub 2^ particles with the silane-coupling agent. Via in-situ emulsion polymerization, the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/titanium oxide (TiO^sub 2^) composite particles were prepared by graft polymerization of MMA from the surface of the modified TiO^sub 2^ particles. The structure of the obtained PMMA/TiO^sub 2^ composite particles was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and size excluding chromatography (SEC). The morphology of the obtained PMMA/TiO^sub 2^ composite particles was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results of FT-IR and TGA measurements show that PMMA is successfully grafted from the surface of the TiO^sub 2^ particles and that the percentage of grafting and the grafting efficiency can reach 208.3% and 96.6%, respectively. At the same time, the TGA and DSC measurements indicate an enhancement of thermal stability. TEM images demonstrate a better dispersion of the TiO^sub 2^ particles in the composite latex. In addition, UV-visible absorption measurements show that the PMMA/TiO^sub 2^ composite particles can absorb over 95% UV light at 210-400 nm wavelength.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]