Size tuned electrophoretic pyrazoline nanoparticles prepared through dispersion–polymerization

Highly monodispersed electrophoretic particles of size ranging from 550 to 160 nm could be prepared through dispersion–polymerization of methyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in presence of pyrazoline nanoparticles in a methanol–water mixture. The size of the fabricated electrophoretic particles could be controlled by adjusting the concentration of surfactant. Stearic acid, used as surfactant during the polymerization process also acts as charge controlling additive to control the electrophoric mobility of the particles. Maximum electrophoric mobility (−7.513 × 10−5 cm2/V s) was obtained for the 400 nm electrophoretic particles prepared with 1.5 wt.% of stearic acid surfactant. The electrophoric display cells prepared with our electrophoretic particles reveal good current voltage characteristics and color change under applied bias voltage.

Graphical abstractHighly monodispersed pyrazoline nanoparticles of different sizes were prepared and encapsulated in methyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, which on adding charge controlling additive show size dependent high electrophoric mobility and image display behaviors.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (122 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► We prepared highly monodispersed pyrazoline nanoparticles with different sizes. ► Pyrazoline nanoparticles were encapsulated through Dispersion-Polymerization. ► After adding charge controlling additive, they show size dependent high electrophoric mobility and image display behaviors.