Preparation and surface encapsulation of hollow TiO nanoparticles for electrophoretic displays

Hollow black TiO nanosparticles were obtained via deposition of inorganic coating on the surface of hollow core-shell polymer latex with Ti(OBu)4 as precursor and subsequent calcination in ammonia gas. Hollow TiO particles were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Encapsulation of TiO via dispersion polymerization was promoved by pretreating the pigments with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate, making it possible to prepare hollow TiO-polymer particles. When St and DVB were used as polymerization monomer, hollow TiO-polymer core-shell particles came into being via dispersion polymerization, and the lipophilic degree is 28.57%. Glutin-arabic gum microcapsules containing TiO-polymer particles electrophoretic liquid were prepared using via complex coacervation. It was founded that hollow TiO-polymer particles had enough electrophoretic mobility after coating with polymer.

Research highlights▶ Hollow black TiO nanospheres were obtained via polymer latex templating procedure with Ti(OBu)4 as precursor. ▶ To increase lipophilic degree, a better encapsulation was achieved by pretreating the TiO particles with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate. ▶ Glutin-gum Arabic electrophoretic microcapsules were prepared via complex coacervation. ▶ The results showed that the TiO-KH570-PS nanoparticles responded to electric field and to electrodes.