Self-Assembly of Methyl Substituted Polyaniline Hollow Nanospheres in a Polyelectrolyte Solution

摘要

Hollow nanospheres of poly(m-toluidine), poly(o-toluidine), and poly(N-methylaniline) were successfully prepared in a solution of poly (methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) by using ammonium persulfate as the oxidant. The polymerization processes of methyl substituted aniline were monitored by recording pH and temperature changes of the reaction medium. The experimental results showed that the substitution position of methyl group affected the characteristics of formed hollow nanospheres. The formation mechanism of such hollow nanospheres was suggested. The produced hydrophobic oligomers self-assembled at the interface of water/droplet of monomers and acted as the soft template for the formation of hollow spheres.