Polymer microspheres stabilized by titania nanoparticles

Polymer microspheres stabilized by titania nanoparticles were synthesized using a two-step Pickering emulsion polymerization process, in which nanosized titania nanoparticles were used as solid emulsifiers and building blocks. It gives a simple but novel route for the fabrication of functional inorganic/polymer hybrid materials with controlled microstructures. The final Pickering emulsion can be applied to various substrates forming continuous films with highly ordered nanosized to microsized TiO2 protuberances across the films. Those films will have potential applications for photo-catalyst, water and air purification.