• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.390-394
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• 2011

Effects of silver nanoparticles on the polymerization rate and morphology of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/silver microspheres prepared by suspension polymerization of VAc were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and atomic absorption spectrometry were used to characterize the morphology and properties of the PVAc/silver microspheres. Due to the change of hydrophilicity of silver nanoparticles, appearance of the microspheres having golf ball-like convave surfaces was observed. Under controlled concentration of surfactant, PVAc/silver microspheres with various hollow structures were synthesized. In the case of silver nanoparticles modified by surfactant, the polymerization rate increased slightly. PVAc/silver microspheres with a conversion up to 80% were prepared via suspension polymerization.