Preparation of nano-particles of poly(phenylsilsesquioxane)s by emulsion polycondensation of phenylsilanetriol formed in aqueous solution

Spherical nano-particles of Poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) (PPSQ) were prepared by emulsion polymerization of phenylsilanetriol (PST) that had been formed in aqueous solution after hydrolysis of trichlorophenylsilane (TCP). The average size of the resultant particles was controlled from 30 nm to 110 nm in diameter by changing the amount of the emulsifier added to the solution. The PPSQ forming the particles was low molecular weight oligomer, consisting of silanol groups that can be utilized as functional groups for further chemical modification.