Abstract.
Surface structure of submicron-sized poly(styrene/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [P(S/HEMA)] composite particles produced by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization was estimated with atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM force curves were measured in water at different points of the particle surface; it was clarified that the particle surface had a heterogeneous structure consisting of hard and soft parts, which must be, respectively, based on styrene-rich and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-rich parts.
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Okubo, M., Suzuki, T. & Fukuhara, Y. Estimation of heterogeneous surface structure of submicron-sized, composite polymer particles consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components by atomic force microscopy*. Colloid Polym Sci 281, 569–574 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-002-0809-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-002-0809-6