Polymer/silica composite of core–shell type by polymer swelling in TEOS

Monodisperse polymer/silica composite material with a polymer as the core and hydrophilic silica gel as the shell was prepared by a two-stage procedure. In the first stage, the swelling of Amberlite XAD7HP particles in tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was performed. Subsequently a portion of the XAD7HP particles impregnated with TEOS were transferred to acidic aqueous solution to facilitate a sol–gel process of the silica precursor. This procedure is assessed as a potential route to a composite material with a core–shell morphology. Scanning electron microscopy and 29Si MAS NMR indicated the formation of silica microfibers on polymer beads. The silica microfibers were anchored in the polymer matrix. In consequence, the silica shell exhibited relatively high mechanical stability. The swelling of the polymer and the formation of the silica phase substantially changed the porosity of the initial polymer material. The final composite surprisingly exhibited very homogeneous porosity. The textural characteristics of the investigated materials were defined by nitrogen adsorption–desorption at 77 K.

Graphical abstractSilica microfibers anchored in a polymer bead.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (67 K)Download as PowerPoint slide