Functionalized magnetic microspheres were prepared by anchoring cross-linked core–shell poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAM-co-AA)) nanoparticles onto silica-coated magnetic microspheres (Fe3O4@SiO2). First, the smaller polystyrene/P(NIPAM-co-AA) core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized through seed emulsion polymerization and adhered to the surface of amino-modified Fe3O4@SiO2 micorspheres, which were made using the modified Stöber method through electrostatic interaction under appropriate preparation conditions. An amidation reaction between the carboxylic and amino groups on the respective surfaces was then catalyzed. Finally, the novel architecture magnetic microspheres with multiresponsive functionalities were obtained, and their polymerization conditions, environmental sensitivity, and magnetic properties were discussed and optimized. The superparamagnetism and temperature/pH dual responsivity and excellent dispersibility of the P(NIPAM-co-AA) functionalized magnetic microspheres provide them with high potential to be used in the fields of controlled drug delivery, bioseparation, and catalysis.
Colloidal molecules (CMs), nonspherical clusters of a small number of particles, can be used as building blocks for self-assembly applications. Here, we propose a novel one pot method for CMs synthesis. First, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAM-co-AA)) microgels were prepared by soap-free emulsion polymerization as seed particles, then monomer styrene and cross-linking agent divinylbenzene (DVB) were added, which could be polymerized by the remaining free radicals on the seed surface in situ. P(NIPAM-co-AA)-PS colloidal molecules with a series of morphologies such as popcorn-like, CO2-like, NH3-like, CH4-like and so on could be obtained. The effects of satellite colloid viscosity, interfacial tension, and polymer chain mobility on the number of satellite colloid have been investigated, and the formation mechanism of CMs is proposed based on morphology evolution investigation. Compared with the existing CM synthesis techniques, our method enables fabricating CMs from vinyl monomer in a facile and efficient way, and the scientific finding regarding the CMs formation will guide the CMs fabrication toward salable and reliable direction.