Polymer Coating on Particles by Use of Surfactant-Adsorbed Layer

Abstract

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) adsolubilized in a sodium dodecyl sulfate adsorbed layer on α-alumina was studied in order to modify surface property of α-alumina. The coating process is similar to an emulsion polymerization. The amount of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) formed on α-alumina increases with an increase of added amount of MMA. Above a certain added amount of MMA, a few particles stick together because of PMMA layer formed. The dispersion stability of PMMA-coated alumina strongly depends on kinds of solvent : The highest stability is obtained in toluene, but the poorest in hexane. This behavior is attributed to the affinity between PMMA and solvents.