Silicon dioxide as coating on polystyrene nanoparticles in situ emulsion polymerization

Abstract Multifunctional SiO 2 /P(St–KH570) nanoparticles with core/shell structure were prepared through styrene (St) and 3-methactyloxyl-propyltrimethoxyl silane (KH570) in situ emulsion polymerization in the sodium metasilicate solution. Polymer chains of the polymer [P(St–KH570)] are covalently bonded to the silica network through the cross-condensation of the trimethoxysilyl groups in both the inorganic and polymer. The thickness of SiO 2 coating layer increases to some degree with the increasing reaction time and the polymer particles with various diameters are in the range of 40–80 nm. We will report in detail about the effect of the reaction time and the amount of KH570 on particle size and size distribution.