Preparation and morphology of SiO2/PMMA nanohybrids by microemulsion polymerization

Polymethylmethacrylate/SiO2 nanocomposite particles were prepared through microemulsion polymerization by using the silica particles coated with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MSMA) in both acidic and alkaline conditions. Core-shell and other interesting morphology nanocomposite particles were obtained depending on the pH of the microemulsion, the amount of silanol, and the coupling agent concentration employed. Then, by combining a modified microemulsion polymerization process, i.e., an additional monomer-adding process, the solid contents of the polymer/inorganic nanocomposite microemulsion could greatly increase. Thus, by adjusting these parameters and polymerization process, it was possible to control the morphology and size of the nanocomposites.