The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Polymer microparticles (MPs) can be functionalized by decorating their surfaces with inorganic nanoparticles (NPs). However, this process requires multiple chemical modification steps because these particles are synthesized through ‘wet chemistry’. We propose a dry, mechanophysical synthesis that forms core/shell hybrid supraparticles (HSPs) via particle-particle collisions, utilizing the modulus difference between MPs and NPs. NPs can be embedded stably onto the MPs surface through the interfacial energy and collision energy. HSPs can be synthesized from a diverse combination of MPs and NPs, regardless of their shapes and functionalities. Furthermore, a single MP can incorporate multiple types of NPs. For example, the HSPs composed of magnetic, photocatalytic, and ion-adsorptive NPs can not only remove toxic water pollutants, but also exhibit recyclability. The mechanophysical synthesis provides a route for sustainable and versatile self-assembly of heterogeneous MPs.