Synthesis and characterization of monodispersed core-shell/polystyrene-silica composite nanospheres as artificial dusts.

Monodispersed core-shell/polystyrene-silica composite nanospheres are synthesized as artificial dusts by a two-step process, the preparation of seed copolymer spheres and the formation of a silica layer on the seed spheres. The poly(styrene-co-MPS) copolymer spheres containing silanol groups are first prepared by emulsion polymerization using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS) as a co-monomer, potassium persulfate (KPS) as a initiator, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a stabilizer. The diameter of the copolymer spheres is in the range of 220-270 nm with very small coefficients of variation (CV), depending on the content of MPS.