Synthesis of polystyrene/polythiophene core/shell nanoparticles by dual initiation

Polystyrene/polythiophene (PSt/PTh) core/shell nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a onepot Fe³⁺-catalyzed oxidative and soap-free emulsion polymerization process. A small amount of sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS) was used to maintain the colloidal stability of the PSt/PTh nanoparticles. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and a trace of iron chloride (FeCl₃) were used to carry out the free-radical polymerization of styrene and the oxidative polymerization of thiophene. The dual initiation characteristics of H₂O₂/FeCl₃ in the PSt/PTh core/shell nanoparticle formation were investigated by observing the time-evolution of the particle morphology. In addition, photoluminescent property, particle size distribution, core/shell morphology and the formation mechanism of the PSt/PTh nanoparticles were studied by spectrofluorophotometery, dynamic light scattering (DLS), in-situ IR, zeta-potential, and timeevolution field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analyses.