One step in situ self-assembly of microspheres through precipitation polymerization in the presence of an organic template

We report a novel one-step facile route for golf-ball like spheres through self-assembly of primary particles using a third solvent as the organic template in ethanol-water mixed solvent. The primary particles of about 1 micron in diameter were obtained through precipitation polymerization in the mixed solvent. Seven candidate solvents were tested as the template solvent; self-assembly of different extent was observed with three of them. Toluene, which led to golf-ball-like microspheres with size of about 10 [small mu ]m, was selected for the optimization of polymerization time, toluene amount in the ternary solvent system as well as the amount of trihydroxymethyl propane triacrylate, the crosslinker, in the monomers. The results were discussed and mechanisms of the self-assembly suggested.