Swelling synthesis and modification of Janus composite particles containing natural urushiol

• Urushiol titanium polymer-PS Janus particles were synthesized by emulsion swelling.
• The classical organic knob in Janus particles was replaced with natural urushiol.
• Both the two knobs of Janus composite particles could be modified.
• Urushiol titanium polymer-PANi Janus particles were prepared.

Janus materials with anisotropic chemical structure and physical properties have attracted increasing attention due to their diversified potential applications. However, existing organic parts of Janus particles mainly come from synthetic polymer. Urushiol is a kind of natural renewable product. Herein, we described the synthesis and functionalization of urushiol-titanium chelate polymer (UTi)-polystyrene (PS) Janus composite particles. The core@shell composite particles of PS@UTi was obtained through in-situ reaction between sulfonated polystyrene microspheres and UTi. UTi-PS Janus composite particles were synthesized by swelling assisted protrusion. Both of the two knobs of Janus particles could be modified. For example, polyaniline (PANi) could be favorably grown on the PS knob by specific interactions. Results of characterization indicated that the Janus composite particles of UTi-PS containing natural product have been synthesized and modified successfully. The modified product of UTi-PANi Janus composite particles is expected to serve as directional conductive material and heat-resistance polymer material.