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Scalable synthesis of smooth PS@TiO2 core-shell and TiO2 hollow spheres in the (sub) micron size range: understanding synthesis and calcination parameters
25.03.2020
Our current work has just been published in the Journal "Colloid and Polymer Science".
In this work, we present a simple, reproducible, and scalable way to synthesize TiO2 hollow spheres in the micrometer/sub-micrometer size range comprising three steps: synthesis of polystyrene template particles, growth of TiO2 shells, and calcination to hollow spheres. We investigate the importance of adjusting the seed particle surface functionalization via the appropriate choice of comonomer during the dispersion polymerization. An aging step and a calcination process at low temperatures are mandatory to retain the particle integrity during the seed particle removal. We provide a detailed characterization of each step of this process including electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, and simultaneous thermal analysis.
Full details can be found on: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00396-020-04626-3