Synthesis of polystyrene core/SiO2 shell composite particles and fabrication of SiO2 capsules out of them

Abstract

Systemic studies on the dependence of the morphology of polystyrene core/SiO2 shell composite particles on the conditions of their fabrication have been performed. Spherical polystyrene particles synthesized in the presence of a cationic initiator of polymerization were used as cores. SiO2 shells were formed by modified Stober’s method. Exposure of the synthesized composite particles to high temperatures has been shown to cause destruction of their polystyrene core, thereby allowing the formation of mesoporous SiO2 capsules with a mean pore diameter of ~3 nm and specific surface area of ~270 m2/g. Model experiments on loading the SiO2 capsules with amoxicillin have been carried out. Spectrophotometry in the UV and visible spectral regions has been used to estimate the kinetics of amoxicillin release from the SiO2 capsules.