Synthesis of walnut-like polystyrene particles using a “giant” surfactant and its superhydrophobic property

Abstract

A novel “giant” surfactant was used for the synthesis of walnut-like polystyrene particles with dual-size roughness surfaces by a facile “one-pot” emulsion polymerization. Specifically, the “giant” surfactant was obtained by grafting monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) chains onto a poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride) bulb of polystyrene dumbbell-shaped particles. Using the novel “giant” surfactant as an emulsifier, nearly monodisperse walnut-like polystyrene particles with tunable sizes were prepared by emulsion polymerization. After removal of the hydrophilic MPEG chains, the particulate films exhibited a superhydrophobic property with a static water contact angle as high as 151°. This work indicates that emulsion polymerization with “giant” surfactants can be a facile approach for fabrication of walnut-like polymeric particles and superhydrophobic particulate films.