Preparation of acrylate polymer/silica nanocomposite particles with high silica encapsulation efficiency via miniemulsion polymerization

Acrylate polymer/silica nanocomposite particles were prepared through miniemulsion polymerization by using methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate mixture containing the well-dispersed nano-sized silica particles coupling treated with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS). The encapsulation efficiency of silica particles was determined through the elution and hydrofluoride acid etching experiments, and the size distribution and the morphology of the composite latex particles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The coupling treatment of silica with MPS can improve the encapsulation efficiency of silica and the degree of grafting of polymer onto silica. When 0.10 g MPS/g silica was used to modify silica, the encapsulation efficiency of silica was greater than 95%, and the degree of grafting of acrylate polymer onto silica was about 60%. Although the average size and the size distribution index of the composite latex particles increased as the weight fraction of silica increased, the stable latex containing the 'guava-like' composite particles was obtained. The grafting of polymer onto silica particles improved the dispersion of silica particles in the solvents for acrylate polymer and in the polymer matrix.