Synthesis and Characterization of Polystyrene Core/Polyacrolein Shell Latexes

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The poly(styrene/acrolein) latexes were synthesized in an emulsifier-free emulsion-precipitation polymerization. Monodisperse particles from 0.30 μ m to 0.52 μ m, depending on the acrolein monomer feed, were obtained. More acrolein in the monomer feed yielded latex particles with smaller diameters. Analyses indicate that the particles have a core-shell morphology. The core is rich in the hydrophobic (polystyrene) component whereas the shell is composed mainly of hydrophilic polyacrolein. Significant changes in polyacrolein in the latexes (from 0.03 to 0.28) has less influence on the composition of the shell (from 0.5 to 0.84, respectively). The surface of the latex particles is smooth and can be penetrated by 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine to the depth from 1.5 to 3.5 Å. These poly(styrene/acrolein) latexes are capable of binding ca. 3 mg of human globulins or ca