Synthesis of polymeric core/shell microspheres with spherical virus-like surface morphology by Pickering emulsion

Core–shell polymeric microspheres of tens microns in size with perfect spherical virus-like surface morphology were prepared through Pickering emulsion polymerization. Pickering stabilizer, monodisperse Poly(Glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microsphere were obtained by two-stage dispersion polymerization and acid catalyzed hydrolysis was employed to transform the epoxy groups into glycol groups, rendering the P(GMA) microspheres moderately hydrophilic to stabilize Pickering emulsion. The P(GMA) microspheres and core–shell microspheres were characterized by scanning electronic microscope(SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering(DLS). The results show that monodisperse P(GMA) microspheres were arrayed in a compact hexagonal arrangement on the surface of core–shell microspheres, forming a perfect spherical virus-like surface morphology.