STUDIES ON SYNTHESIS OF SILICA SOL-ORGANIC POLYMER COMPOSITE EMULSION

An emulsion of polystyrene/poly (butylacrylate-methyl methacrylate acrylic acid) core/shell latex particles (PS/P (BA-MMA-AA)) has been prepared by use of three synthetic methods. The effects of synthetic methods on the distribution of carboxyl groups in latex particles were studied. The results show that the seed emulsion polymerization in which the pre-emulsified monomers were added by dropping method to the second stage is the best technique for obtaining the optimum distribution of carboxyl groups on the surface of the latex particles. Furthermore, by using PS/P (BA-MMA-AA), a type of novel composite emulsion of silica sol-PS/P (BA-MMA-AA) was synthesized with the above method. By observation through transmission EM, the morphology of the latex particles obtained shows that a composite structure has been formed between silica sol particles and organic polymer particles.