Synthesis of PS/Ag asymmetric hybrid particles via phase separation and self-assembly

This article presents a facile approach to preparation of polystyrene/silver (PS/Ag) asymmetric hybrid particles. In this method, polystyrene/polyglycidyl methacrylate (PS/PGMA) Janus particles were synthesized via internal phase separation triggered by evaporation of dichloromethane (DCM) from PS/PGMA/DCM-in water emulsion droplets. Then, the Janus particles were aminated and sequentially carboxylated to obtain PS/PGMA-NH2 and PS/PGMA-COOH particles. Ag+ self-assembled on the surface of PGMA hemisphere of the functionalized PS/PGMA particles by coordinating with amine/carboxyl. PS/Ag asymmetric hybrid particles with 7.29 wt% of Ag were obtained by reduction of Ag+. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy results confirmed that Ag was asymmetrically distributed on the surface of polymer particles. (C) 2013 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.