Controlled Synthesis of Polymethyl Methacrylate Latex Particles Armored by Fe3O4 via Pickering Emulsion Polymerization and Its Emulsifying Properties.

Abstract

The fabrication of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) latexes armored with modified Fe3O4 (IO) nanoparticles by Pickering emulsion polymerization was described. Dynamic light scattering analyzed the IO/PMMA latex particle size. Thermogravimetric analysis evaluated the incorporation efficiency (IE) of IO nanoparticles and the surface coverage (Cov) of latex particles. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the IO nanoparticles loaded on the latex surface. Both the original and dialyzed IO nanoparticles were used as stabilizers to discuss the influence of electrolytes in IO solution on the process of emulsion polymerization. In order to effectively control the IE, Cov, hydrophobic properties, and magnetization of latex particles, the kinds of monomers, pH, and solid content of dialyzed IO on the polymerization process were investigated. In addition, the conversion of monomers, the size, and the number of latex particles were learned deeply so as to reveal the key mechanism of the PMMA polymerization process in the absence of electrolytes. Moreover, IO/PMMA latex particles showed good magnetic properties and emulsifying ability. In view of these results, a simple and efficient method for preparing magnetic hybrid materials by Pickering emulsion polymerization was proposed.