Synthesis and applications of MANs/poly(MMA-co-BA) nanocomposite latex by miniemulsion polymerization

• Main Authors: Sheng Gong, Huayao Chen, Xinhua Zhou, Sundaram Gunasekaran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 2017-01-01
• Series: Royal Society Open Science
• Subjects: antimony-doped tin oxide; nanocomposite; core-shell structure; miniemulsion polymerization; spectrally selective films
• Online Access: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.170844
• ISSN: 2054-5703

We have synthesized core-shell structured 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) functionalized antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles (MANs)–poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) (PMMA-co-BA, PMB) nanocomposite latex particles via miniemulsion polymerization method. Polymerizable anionic surfactant DNS-86 (allyloxy polyoxyethylene(10) nonyl ammonium sulfate) was first introduced to synthesize core-shell nanocomposite. The morphologies of synthesized MANs and MANs/PMB latex nanocomposite particles were studied with transmission electron microscopy, which revealed particles, on average 70 nm in size, with a core-shell structure. Owing to the uniformity and hydrophobicity of MANs, the MANs-embedded PMB latex nanocomposite can be tailored more precisely than other nanoparticles-embedded nanocomposites. Films incorporating 10 wt% of MANs in the MAN/PMB latex nanocomposite exhibit good transmittance in the visible region, and excellent opacity in the near infrared region. The MANs/PMB nanocomposite film also appears suitable for heat insulation applications.