Synthesis of Highly Monodisperse Surface-Functional Microspheres by Photoinitiated RAFT Dispersion Polymerization Using Macro-RAFT Agents

Highly monodisperse PMMA microspheres have been synthesized by photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization in the presence of a Macro-RAFT agent and a small molecular RAFT agent. A particle yield of over 90% was achieved within 3 h under UV irradiation at room temperature. The Macro-RAFT agent acts as a stabilizer and stabilizes the particles via formation of block copolymers in situ, and XPS analysis shows that about 29.9% of the particle surface was covered by the stabilizer. Various surface functional microspheres were prepared by using four kinds of Macro-RAFT agents, including poly(methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate)-based trithiocarbonate (P(mPEGA)-TTC), poly(methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-acrylic acid)-based trithiocarbonate (P(mPEGA-co-AA)-TTC), poly(acrylic acid)-based trithiocarbonate (PAA-TTC), and poly(methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine)-based trithiocarbonate (P(mPEGA-co-4VP)-TTC). Ag/PMMA nanocomposite spheres were prepared using the P(mPEGA-co-AA)-TTC stabilized microspheres. The PAA-TTC stabilized microspheres showed pH sensitivity. The colloidal stability of the particles prepared by this photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization was also investigated.