TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OBSERVATIONS OF COMPOSITE POLYMER COLLOID NUCLEATED BY FUNCTIONALIZED SILICA

In this work, functionalized nanometric silica particles were engaged in emulsion polymerization of ethyl acrylate. The morphological characterization of this composite material was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). We were particularly interested in the state of encapsulation of the silica particles and their distribution in the latex film Initially, we successively studied both components of the composite: polymer beads and silica particles differ by their size and also by their contrast. In addition, it was possible to perform dark field TEM to study this system of two amorphous phases because their respective amorphous halos are not too close. Hence, we investigated the colloid material in aqueous media and after film formation. Although no ideal encapsulation is observed in the colloid in aqueous media, the distribution of silica in the latex film is good. SAXS results are in good agreement with TEM observations.