Preparation and characterization of cationic pH-sensitive SiO2/polymer core-shell nanoparticles with amino groups in the shell

Silica/poly(styrene-N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (SiO2/P(St-DMAEMA)) cationic pH-responsive core-shell particles with a narrow size distribution and diameter of less than 200 nm were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. The effects of the St/DMAEMA molar ratio, SiO2 core size, monomer amount, and cross-linking degree on the morphology and pH-responsiveness of the core-shell particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and conductometric titration. The results showed that core-shell particles with only one SiO2 core could be obtained when the cross-linker divinyl benzene (DVB) was used, and the diameter of the core-shell particles increased with the size of the SiO2 core and the total amount of monomer. It was observed that the amount of surface amino groups, zeta potential, and volume swelling ratio of the core-shell particles were significantly affected by the St/DMAEMA molar ratio, and a high volume swelling ratio was achieved at pH 4 and a DVB content of 3 mol%. The zeta potential was observed to be a function of pH, and the particles were positively charged when the pH value was below approximately 7.2.