Correlative studies on the fabrication of poly(styrene-methyl-methacrylate-acrylic acid) colloidal crystal films

• Published in: Journal of dispersion science and technology Vol. 40; no. 7; pp. 1023 - 1030
• Main Authors: Ifijen, Hilary I., Ikhuoria, Esther U., Omorogbe, Stanley O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 03.07.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acrylic acid; Acrylics; colloidal crystals; Colloids; Core-shell particles; Correlation analysis; Emulsion polymerization; Latex; Mechanical properties; morphology; Particle size; Periodic structures; Poly(styrene-methyl-methacrylate-acrylic acid); Polymethyl methacrylate; Polystyrene resins; Stirring; Styrenes; zeta potential
• ISSN: 0193-2691; 1532-2351
• DOI: 10.1080/01932691.2018.1494605

This research describes a one-step procedure for monodispersed poly(styrene-methyl-methacrylate-acrylic acid colloidal spheres [P(St-MMA-AA)] via soap-seeded emulsion polymerization. The effects ofreaction conditions such as temperature, stirring speed, initiation concentration, e.t.c. were examined. The results obtained showed that the spheres average particle diameter decreased with increase in initiator concentration, the reaction temperature and stirring speed and increased with an increase in monomer concentrations. The particles show stable mechanical properties within the transition and heating temperatures of 111.9 °C and 388 °C respectively. Zeta-potential values ranging from −31.8 mV to −36.5 mV which is indicative of stable dispersion of colloidal particles were obtained for all the prepared latexes. The assembled colloidal latex had periodic structures with mainly hexagonal three-dimensional structures with multi-facet arrangements. The latex also shows spherical shape of monodispersed core-shell particles.