Preparation of paramagnetic magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres by radiation induced miniemulsion polymerization

摘要

A novel and facile approach to the preparation of paramagnetic magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres by 60Co-γ ray radiation induced miniemulsion polymerization is reported. First, we modified the magnetite nanoparticles (MPs) with Y-shape surfactant: 12-hexanoyloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (HOA). Nanocomposite microspheres consisting of polystyrene-iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by the radiation induced miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in presence of HOA modified MPs using HOA as stabilizer. The final products were thoroughly characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), which showed the formation of magnetite/polystyrene nanocomposite microspheres. The effects of the dose rate, the added amount of HD, the added effect of MPs and morphology of the final products were studied. We have also studied the polymerization kinetics to prove the miniemulsion polymerization mechanism of the nanocomposite microspheres.