Facile and Versatile Platform Approach for the Synthesis of Submicrometer-Sized Hybrid Particles with Programmable Size, Composition, and Architecture Comprising Organosiloxanes and/or Organosilsesquioxanes

Abstract

We present a facile and versatile platform approach for the synthesis of submicrometer-sized hybrid particles based on an oil-in-water emulsion. These particles comprise organosiloxanes and/or organosilsesquioxanes formed via hydrolysis and polycondensation of alkyl- or aryltrimethoxysilane, and polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) formed through radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate, respectively. In this synthesis, the alkyl- or aryltrimethoxysilane fulfills three different roles: (i) it is part of the oil phase, (ii) serves as monomer for the formation of the organosiloxane network, and (iii) forms a surface active species that stabilizes the emulsion. Size, composition and architecture of the resulting hybrid particles are programmable in this synthetic approach, as demonstrated for the combination phenyltrimethoxysilane/styrene. The versatility of the approach is demonstrated by preparing hybrid particles based on following precursor/monomer combinations: phenyltrimethoxysilane/methyl methacrylate, methyltrimethoxysilane/styrene, (3-acryloxypropyl)-trimethoxysilane/styrene and (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane/styrene. Latter combination yields hybrid spheres with thiol groups suited for further functionalization.