Film formation from nano-sized polystrene latex covered with various TiO2 layers

Steady‐state fluorescence technique was used for studying film formation from TiO2 covered nano‐sized polystyrene latex particles. The composite films were prepared from pyrene (P)‐labeled PS particles by covering them with various layers of TiO2 at room temperature. These films then annealed at elevated temperatures in 10 min time interval above glass transition (Tg) temperature of polystyrene. Five different composite films were studied in various TiO2 layer contents. Fluorescence emission intensity, IP from P was measured after each annealing step to monitor the stages of film formation. Films present significant increase in IP above the certain onset temperature called minimum film forming temperature, T0. However, at higher annealing temperatures, IP showed a decrease. Increase and decrease in IP were modeled by void closure and interdiffusion processes and related activation energies were determined, respectively. Dissolution of annealed PS film, with high TiO2 content presented a nice, ordered nano‐sized ceramic structure, which may predict the construction of nano‐layer photonic crystals. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:651–659, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers