Synthesis of core–shell composites using an inverse surfmer

Anilinium dodecylsulfate was prepared from aniline and sodium dodecylsulfate. The critical micellar concentration of the salt was determined using electrical conductimetry, which revealed that the change of countercation, sodium by anilinium, reduced the critical micellar concentration with respect to the conventional counterpart, sodium dodecylsulfate. The anilinium dodecylsulfate was used as the surfmer in the synthesis of polystyrene/polyaniline core–shell composites, first performing as the surfactant to stabilize the emulsion polymerization of styrene, and later as the monomer to synthesize polyaniline via oxidative polymerization. Here, the surfmer function was directed toward the external phase instead of to the internal phase, as with conventional surfmers with carbon–carbon double bonds. Consequently, the term inverse surfmer is proposed. Analyses of its composite microstructure using electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the core–shell arrangement.

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► The critical micellar concentration of anilinium dodecylsulfate was determined by electrical conductimetry.
► Anilinium dodecylsulfate can be applied as a stabilizer in styrene emulsion polymerization.
► Polystyrene/polyaniline core–shell composites were synthesized via a two-step methodology.