Synthesis of Polymeric Opals via Stepwise Nano- Emulsion Polymerization

The technique of emulsion polymerization was used to produces a chemically (graft) connected core-shell of polystyrene (PS) and acrylate esters. The resulting lattices are of a mean particle size of 160nm. These particles can form an opal system which due to their sizes a blue color is represented. The resulting final product is a twophase system consisting cross-linked particles embedded in a rubbers matrix which can be molded into any shapes using the well-known polymer processing techniques such as hot-press.

Keywords:

Polymer , Opal , Photonic Crystal , Polystyrene , Acrylic Esters