Generalized Approach for Fabricating Monodisperse Anisotropic Microparticles via Single-Hole Swelling PGMA Seed Particles

Abstract

A unique phenomenon—a single hole appeared gradually on the surface of the seed particles and grew with the proceeding of swelling—has been observed during swelling poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) particles. PGMA particles suffer the function of the swelling agent and styrene monomer and form a single hole on their surface. SEM and TEM were utilized to observe and demonstrate the forming process. Inconceivably, monodisperse poly(glycidyl methacrylate)/polystyrene (PGMA/PS) anisotropic microparticles, including Janus, raspberry-shaped, acorn-shaped, and hollow with open mouth, have been fabricated by the seed polymerization of these single-hole microparticles as a generalized approach. The morphology evolution of PGMA/PS is investigated by regulating the amount of monomer and monomer/seed weight ratio. Moreover, the surface of PGMA/PS microparticles are rich in epoxy groups, which has bright prospects in application in biomacromolecule immobilization and superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic coating.