Preparation of Hybrid Microspheres with Homogeneously Dispersed Nanosilica Using In-situ Sol-Gel Reaction inside a Polystyrene Matrix

Hybrid polymer microspheres with uniformly dispersed nanosilica, were synthesized using an in ??situ sol-gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane among low-density cross-linked polystyrene microspheres. FT??IR measurements and SEM observations indicated that silica nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm were formed inside the polymer matrix, which resulted in a hydro-philic microsphere interior, but did not form a sequential network structure. Moreover, chemical modification of the nanosilica inside the hybrid microspheres could control the functions inside the hybrid particles.

Automated summary

In this study, hybrid polymer microspheres with uniformly dispersed nanosilica were synthesized by an in-situ sol-gel reaction. It was found that silica nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm were formed inside the polymer matrix, resulting in a hydrophilic microsphere interior. Furthermore, chemical modification of the nanosilica inside the hybrid microspheres could control the functions inside the particles.