An emulsifier-free RAFT-mediated process for the efficient synthesis of cerium oxide/polymer hybrid latexes

Abstract

Hybrid latexes based on cerium oxide nanoparticles are synthesized via an emulsifier-free process of emulsion polymerization employing amphiphatic macro-RAFT agents. Poly(butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) random oligomers of various compositions and chain lengths are first obtained by RAFT copolymerization in the presence of a trithiocarbonate as controlling agent. In a second step, the seeded emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methyl acrylate is carried out in the presence of nanoceria with macro-RAFT agents adsorbed at their surface, resulting in a high incorporation efficiency of cerium oxide nanoparticles in the final hybrid latexes, as evidenced by cryo-transmission electron microscopy. Hybrid latexes comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via an emulsifier-free process employing amphiphatic random RAFT copolymers. Poly(butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) macro-RAFT agents adsorbed at the cerium oxide surface were chain extended with styrene and methyl acrylate, resulting in the complete incorporation of cerium oxide in the final hybrid latexes. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.