Preparation of monodisperse PMMA microspheres in nonpolar solvents by dispersion polymerization with a macromonomeric stabilizer
نویسندگان
چکیده
Recently, monodisperse polymer colloids have found a new application as templates for photonic crystals [1]. At a sufficiently high volume fraction and low polydispersity, spherical particles will self assemble into a facecentered cubic lattice, even in the absence of attractive interparticle forces [2]. Such structures can diffract light if the wavelength is comparable to the spacing between the particles, though for optimum optical effect one would fill the interstices of this colloidal crystal and dissolve the colloid, thereby forming a macroporous material. Usually an aqueous polystyrene latex is used to make the crystalline template [3, 4]. However, a nonaqueous dispersion may be used instead, with the advantage that a water-reactive phase, such as a metal alkoxide, could be added to the dispersion and incorporated in situ in the interstices of the lattice during particle consolidation and crystallization. Thus, the appropriate colloidal particles for this application would be approximately micron sized (to match the wavelength of visible light), highly monodisperse (to form large crystals), stable in non-aqueous media (to allow compatibility with water-reactive additives), and relatively simple to synthesize. Here we describe the preparation of such particles. Sascha M. Klein Vinothan N. Manoharan David J. Pine Fred F. Lange Preparation of monodisperse PMMA microspheres in nonpolar solvents by dispersion polymerization with a macromonomeric stabilizer
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