Simplified Polymer Particle Design: Using Block Copolymers to Create Multihollow Structures

Microsuspension polymerization was used to create multihollow polymer particles. First, a block copolymer of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-<i>block</i>-poly(methyl methacrylate-3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA-<i>b</i>-P(MMA-MPS)) was synthesized by using a solution iodine transfer polymerization (solution ITP). This block copolymer was then used as a porogen in microsuspension polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) to create multihollow structures of P(EGDMA-HEMA) particles. The polymerization process was smooth, achieving 99% monomer conversion within 24 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the multihollow structure, while surface area analysis (BET) showed well-defined porosity. Moreover, a positive charge might have been derived from the PDMAEMA segment, verifying that the particles contained the PDMAEMA-<i>b</i>-P(MMA-MPS) block copolymer. Dye adsorption studies in both water and oil confirmed that the particles successfully formed multihollow structures. Moreover, the multihollow P(EGDMA-HEMA) particles maintained over 80% adsorption efficiency even after being reused ten times. This procedure is both basic and versatile, offering an effective means to produce multihollow polymer particles utilizing block copolymers as porogens, making it highly promising for various applications.