Different dispersion polymerization strategies influence the quality of fluorescent poly (St‐co‐GMA) microspheres

Abstract

The polymerization strategy plays a vital role in the preparation of functional microspheres. In this work, fluorescent poly (styrene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) (PSt‐GMA) microspheres were synthesized via one‐stage and two‐stage dispersion polymerization with 4‐Bis(5‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxazol‐2‐yl)benzene (POPOP) as fluorescence agent. SEM and DLS were adopted to characterize the properties of prepared microspheres. The UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to analyze the mechanisms of two‐stage dispersion polymerization. The experimental results showed that the size distribution and fluorescence intensity of prepared microspheres could be improved by two‐stage dispersion polymerization compared to one‐stage dispersion polymerization. In addition, according to UV‐vis, the interactions between POPOP and Poly (N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as well as POPOP and Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) could affect the particle size and its distribution. UV‐vis and fluorescence spectra implied that the POPOP existed outside of the particle's core via two‐stage strategy. The monomer conversion of styrene was similar at the beginning of reaction; however, the monomer conversion of styrene by two‐stage strategy was higher than that of by one‐stage strategy. In a word, two‐stage dispersion polymerization could prepare fluorescent microspheres with the monodispersion micrometer‐size and high quality. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41927.

Microwave-assisted in situ laser dye incorporation into high sensitivity whispering gallery mode microresonators

“…Styrene-NR form a hydrophobic, homogeneous and non-polar phase that promotes a slower and controlled styrene supply to growing particles thus resulting in a monomodal diameter distribution. The nucleation stage during dispersion polymerisation of styrene is well known to be a short-lived, critical, complex and very sensitive part of the reaction that determines the diameter of formed particles [35].…”

“…by dispersion polymerisation [35], or double emulsion polymerisation [36]. Both techniques have been applied to the synthesis of polymer particles with diameters ranging from nm to 100 s of µm [35]. In general, one-step approaches reduce the number of synthesis steps, but may be time consuming and have challenges with control of particle size and size distribution due to complex dye-monomer-surfactant-solvent interactions.…”

“…On the other hand, integrated polymerisation processes exist where a dye is directly loaded during the polymerisation, e.g. by dispersion polymerisation [35], or double emulsion polymerisation [36]. Both techniques have been applied to the synthesis of polymer particles with diameters ranging from nm to 100 s of µm [35].…”

Preparation and characterization of magnetic poly(styrene–glycidyl methacrylate) microspheres for highly efficient protein adsorption by two‐stage dispersion polymerization

“…synthesized magnetic poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate) microspheres with a relatively narrow size distribution by one‐stage dispersion polymerization, but the polydispersity index was still 1.04. When the comonomers were added at the beginning of dispersion polymerization, poor results were obtained, and a large amount of functional groups were buried in the polymer with only a small part left on the surface . The low functional group content and the low adsorption capacity of those magnetic microspheres synthesized by one‐stage dispersion polymerization limits their application in separation and immunoassay.…”