Synthesis of triangle hybrid particles by radiation-induced seeded emulsion polymerization based on polystyrene/SiO2 core–shell particles

A novel strategy has been designed for the preparation of triangle polystyrene/SiO2 (PS/SiO2) hybrid particles using γ-ray radiation-induced seeded emulsion polymerization from core–shell structured PS/SiO2 seed particles. SEM results indicate that the weight ratio of monomer to seed particles (WSt/Seed) and the thickness of silica-shell coated on the core–shell PS/SiO2 seed particles are crucial for the subsequent formation of triangle hybrid particles. Moreover, the size of the protruded PS bulbs of the resultant triangle particles obviously increases with WSt/Seed from 1.25 to 5. This novel method is applicable to the preparation of anisotropic hybrid particles from polymer/inorganic core–shell particles.

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► Triangle particles were prepared via radiation seeded emulsion polymerization.
► Micron-sized core-shell PS/SiO2 particles were used as seeds.
► Silica-shell thickness is crucial for the formation of the triangle particles.
► This strategy is promisingly applicable to preparation of anisotropic particles.