Thermally expandable microspheres with high expansion ratios: Design of core and shell for largest size change

Jasmine C. Gomez, Nicholas S. Vishnosky, Jeremy T. Grafstein, Spencer T. Kim, Rachel C. Steinhardt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) are liquid-core, polymer-shelled particles that are useful in both current industry and future manufacturing and basic research applications. Here, we systematically optimize TEMs for highest expansion ratio using a broad-spectrum infrared head source. Microspheres are synthesized from a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), methyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile as the shell, which is optimized for greatest expansion ratio. This represents the first time that HEMA is used in TEMs. The liquid blowing agent core is next optimized, followed by the prepolymerization emulsion time. It is found that particle morphology is greatly variable and influenced by kinetic and thermodynamic factors, with various phase-separated and aniosotropic morphologies accessed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere52517
JournalJournal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume139
Issue number28
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 20 2022

Keywords

  • core-shell
  • particle morphology
  • soft matte
  • thermally-expanding microspheres

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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