Synthesis and characterization of core-shell ZrO2/PAAEM/PS nanoparticles

This work demonstrates the synthesis of core-shell ZrO2/PAAEM/PS nanoparticles through a combination of sol-gel method and emulsifier-free emulsion polymerizaiton. By this method, the modified nanometer ZrO2cores were prepared by chemical modification at a molecular level of zirconium propoxide with monomer of acetoacetoxyethylmethacrylate (AAEM), and then copolymerized with vinyl monomer to form uniform size hybrid nanoparticles with diameter of around 250 nm. The morphology, composition, and thermal stability of the core-shell particles were characterized by various techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal-gravimetry analyzer (TGA). The results indicate that the inorganic-organic nanocomposites exhibit good thermal stability with the maximum decomposition temperature of 447 degrees celcius. This approach would be useful for the synthesis of other inorganic-organic nanocomposites with desired functionalities.