Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Encapsulated TiO₂ Nanocomposite Particles in Supercritical CO₂

Abstract

Polymer encapsulated inorganic metal oxide nanocomposites composed of poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO₂ were synthesized by the radical dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in supercritical carbon dioxide. TiO₂ nanoparticles, pretreated with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane were used to produce the nanocomposites. Relatively stable composite latexes were formed in supercritical carbon dioxide at 7.5% w/w TiO₂ with respect to MMA in the presence of poly(dimethylsiloxane-b-methacrylic acid) stabilizer, which resulted in dry white powder. With increasing the ratio of TiO₂/methyl methacrylate, the latexes became unstable and produced more agglomerated products. Transmission electron microscope images revealed that the nanoparticles were encapsulated as small agglomerate in poly(methyl methacrylate) particles. This facile method provides a way to develop solvent free composites with nanostructures. The composite particles were also confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.

Keywords:

• MPTMS
• polymer encapsulation
• supercritical carbon dioxide
• surface modification
• TiO₂

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No. R01-2008-000-21056-0) and the second stage of BK21 Program.