Synthesis of bifunctional core-shell particles with a porous zeolite core and a responsive polymeric shell

The aim of our work is the synthesis and characterization of colloidal core-shell particles with a zeolite core and an environmentally responsive shell. We have synthesized colloidal ZSM-5 zeolite and modified the surface with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate in order to introduce double bonds at the surface. The cross-linked polymeric shell was prepared by precipitation polymerization using the functionalized zeolite particles as seeds. We employed thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and pH-responsive poly(vinylpyridine) as the polymeric shell, respectively. The temperature- and pH-depending swelling and deswelling of the core-shell particles were characterized with dynamic light scattering techniques. Transmission electron microscopy pictures show the morphology of the synthesized particles. It is proposed that these types of bifunctional core-shell particles could be of use for controlled uptake and release applications and separation of molecules.