Effect of hollow structure and covalent bonding on the mechanical properties of core–shell silica nanoparticles modified poly(methyl acrylate) composites

Hollow SiO2 nanospheres with diameter ranging from 50 to 70 nm were obtained by the template method. The core–shell structured hollow nano-SiO2@poly(methyl acrylate) nanoparticles and nano-SiO2@poly(methyl acrylate) nanoparticles/poly(methyl acrylate) composites were prepared by seed emulsion polymerization. The results indicated that the SiO2 nanoparticles showed good dispersion stability, and their compatibility with the polymer matrix was improved noticeably. The mechanical property, dynamic mechanical property and rigidity of the latex films were greatly improved when the content of silica in the composites was small. Moreover, it was found that the damping capacity could only be improved when hollow SiO2 was covalently bonded to poly(methyl acrylate) matrix.

► Core-shell hollow silica/PMA composites were synthesized by grafting method.
► The hollow structure and linking style in the system was studied systematically.
► The damping capacity was improved by introduction of covalently bonded hollow SiO2.