Continuous Preparation of Polymer/Inorganic Composite Nanoparticles via Miniemulsion Polymerization

Abstract

Composite nanostructured particles can be produced by polymerization of monomer miniemulsion droplets loaded with inorganic nanoparticles. The article gives an overview on the development of a scalable continuous process for the production of such hybrid nanoparticles via miniemulsion polymerization. Different possibilities for the necessary surface modification of the inorganic material are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the influence of the surfactant concentration on the droplet size after emulsification as well as on the nucleation mechanisms during polymerization is highlighted. Possible process routes for the emulsification of the nanoparticle-loaded monomer phase are compared taking into account different process and material parameters, such as energy consumption, abrasion, dispersed phase viscosity, inorganic particle load and size, and morphology of the resulting hybrid particles. The possibility of an industrial implementation via an integrated high pressure homogenization process and a subsequent continuous polymerization are presented.

One-step fabrication of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane modified silica and investigation of fluorinated polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite films

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] These nanocomposite materials are particularly promising in applications as catalysis, 11,12 surface coatings [13][14][15][16] and biotechnologies. 17 A number of approaches have been demonstrated for generating nanocomposite particles with different interesting morphologies, such as core-shell, 18,19 raspberry-like, [20][21][22][23][24] daisy-shaped, 25 currant bun-like 26 and snowman-like 27 structures.…”

“…Polymer/inorganic nanocomposite particles have gained much attention from scientists owing to the remarkable properties that can be obtained by the combination and structuration of the organic and inorganic components inside the nanoparticles. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] These nanocomposite materials are particularly promising in applications such as catalysis, 11,12 surface coatings [13][14][15][16] and biotechnologies. 17 A number of approaches have been demonstrated for generating nanocomposite particles with different interesting morphologies, such as core-shell, 18,19 raspberry-like, [20][21][22][23][24] daisy-shaped, 25 currant bun-like 26 and snowman-like 27 structures.…”