Synthesis of Silica/Polystyrene Nanocomposite Particles by Miniemulsion Polymerization

Miniemulsion polymerization is one of heterogeneous polymerization method that can be effectively used to synthesis of various novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite particles. This method can provide opportunity of good incorporation between the polymer and inorganic phases in the formed submicrometer-sized particles. In this article, we report preparation polystyrene/silica nanocomposite particles via miniemulsion polymerization of styrene (St). Synthesis of the nanocomposite particles were performed using γ-methacryloxyprop yltrimethoxysilane (MPS) which perform compatibility of silica and the polymer phase by covalent interactions. Morphology, particle size, spectroscopic characteristics and thermal properties of resulted nanocomposite particles were studied. TEM study showed a raspberry like morphology for the nanocomposite particles. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of polystyrene and silica with MPS compatibilizer in the structure of the nanocomposite. Thermogravimetric analysis and Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the incorporation of silica in polymer matrix results variation in thermal stability and glass transition temperature of nanocomposite particles relative to that of the polymer without silica in it.