Green preparation and physical properties of maleated sulfur-prevulcanized natural rubber

The maleated sulfur-prevulcanized natural rubber (M-SPNR) was prepared from grafting maleic anhydride (MA) onto SPNR latex particle by using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. Natural rubber latex particle was vulcanized first, and then it was maleated to M-SPNR. The average particle size of M-SPNR was greater than that of SPNR possibly due to the formation of aggregate after addition of MA. The symmetric (strong) and asymmetric (weak) carbonyl stretching vibrations of succinic anhydride rings were confirmed by ATR–FTIR at 1,780–1,784 and 1,854?cm^?1, respectively. The swelling ratios of M-SPNR latex film decreased with increasing MA contents. The tensile strength, modulus, hardness, and elongation at break of SPNR latex film dramatically increased after grafting with MA. Due to the reduction of double bond, the thermal stability of M-SPNR film was better than that of SPNR. The environmental friendly M-SPNR would be further applied as a compatibilizer between NR and biopolymer.     

Synthesis of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) by distillation precipitation polymerization and quantitative grafting on mesoporous silica

In this work, syntheses of thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with different molecular weights were carried out in ethanol by distillation precipitation polymerization (DPP) technique. The synthesized polymers were fully characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography techniques. The lower critical solution temperatures of the polymers were determined with differential scanning calorimetry. A simple and versatile method for the in situ synthesis and grafting of PNIPAM on mesoporus silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with improved control over quantitative grafting is devised. The PNIPAM grafted MSNs were characterized with ATR‐FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses. From the results obtained it is showed that quantitative grafting of PNIPAM on MSNs from 1 to 20% by weight can be tuned by manipulating the in situ DPP reaction conditions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44181.     

Improving blood compatibility of natural rubber by UV‐induced graft polymerization of hydrophilic monomers

Natural rubber (NR) latex films surface‐grafted with hydrophilic monomers, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA), N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VPy), and 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), were prepared by UV‐induced graft polymerization using benzophenone as a photosensitizer. The grafting yield increases of vulcanized NR latex films as a function of time and monomer concentration were of lesser magnitude than those of the unvulcanized NR latex films. This can be explained as a result of the crosslinked network generated during vulcanization acting as a barrier to the permeation of the photosensitizer and the monomer. The appearance of a characteristic carbonyl stretching in the attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) spectra of NR latex films after the surface grafting of PEGMA and MPC indicates that the modification has proceeded at least to the sampling depth of ATR‐FTIR (∼ 1–2 μm). According to the water contact angle of the modified NR latex films, the surface grafting density became higher as the grafting time and monomer concentration increased. The complete absence of plasma protein adsorption and platelet adhesion on the surface‐modified NR latex films having grafting yield above 1 wt % is a strong indication of improved blood compatibility. Results from tensile tests suggest that graft polymerization does not cause adverse effects on the mechanical properties of vulcanized NR latex films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Determination of the Si?H content of hydrogen silicone oil by a combination of the fourier transform near infrared,attenuated total reflectance–fourier transform infrared,and partial least squares regression models

To verify the feasibility of the determination of the Si? H content (HC) of hydrogen silicone oil (HS‐oil) with Fourier transform near infrared (FT‐NIR) spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with the partial least squares regression (PLS‐R) model, HS‐oil samples were synthesized from concentrated hydrosilicone oil (HC = 1.4 wt %), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and hexamethyldisiloxane or prepared by the dilution of concentrated hydrosilicone oil with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. The FT‐NIR PLS‐R model (8695–4000 cm^?1, two principal components) was developed from the FT‐NIR spectral data, and the coefficient of determination for cross‐validation (R²) and the coefficient of determination for external validation (r²) were 0.992 and 0.995, respectively. The ATR–FTIR PLS‐R model (2302–2040 cm^?1, one principal component) was developed from the ATR–FTIR spectral data; it produced an R² of 0.995 and an r² of 0.996. This study demonstrated that the combination of FT‐NIR and ATR–FTIR spectroscopy with the PLS‐R model were successfully used to determine the HC of the HS‐oil. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40694.     

Determination of the SiH content of hydrogen silicone oil by a combination of the fourier transform near infrared,attenuated total reflectance–fourier transform infrared,and partial least squares regression models

To verify the feasibility of the determination of the Si?H content (HC) of hydrogen silicone oil (HS‐oil) with Fourier transform near infrared (FT‐NIR) spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with the partial least squares regression (PLS‐R) model, HS‐oil samples were synthesized from concentrated hydrosilicone oil (HC = 1.4 wt %), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and hexamethyldisiloxane or prepared by the dilution of concentrated hydrosilicone oil with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. The FT‐NIR PLS‐R model (8695–4000 cm^?1, two principal components) was developed from the FT‐NIR spectral data, and the coefficient of determination for cross‐validation (R²) and the coefficient of determination for external validation (r²) were 0.992 and 0.995, respectively. The ATR–FTIR PLS‐R model (2302–2040 cm^?1, one principal component) was developed from the ATR–FTIR spectral data; it produced an R² of 0.995 and an r² of 0.996. This study demonstrated that the combination of FT‐NIR and ATR–FTIR spectroscopy with the PLS‐R model were successfully used to determine the HC of the HS‐oil. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40694.     

Grafting of poly(vinyl alcohol) on natural rubber latex particles

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was grafted on natural rubber (NR) latex particles (NR‐g‐PVA) using potassium persulfate to generate active radicals on both NR particle surface as well as PVA molecules. ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggested a possibly chemical attachment of PVA on the NR. The amount of graft‐PVA expressed in term of grafting percentage (%G) increased almost linearly with the amount of PVA adding to the NR latex. Measuring by dynamic light scattering, the particle size of NR‐g‐PVA particles was larger than the size of unmodified NR, also it increased with the molecular weight and %G of PVA. Transmission electron microscopy images of the NR‐g‐PVA latex particles revealed that the size of PVA‐grafted NR particle was enlarged by a layer of graft‐PVA surrounding the NR particle. Given by the graft‐PVA layer surrounding NR particles, the NR‐g‐PVA latex particles possessed better colloidal stability as lowering pH compared with the unmodified NR latex. Comparing with unmodified NR particles, the electrophoretic mobility of NR‐g‐PVA particles was lower due to the presence of graft‐PVA that shifted the shear plane further away from the surface of the particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Development of a methodology for characterizing commercial chlorinated latex gloves

Chlorination of gloves has gained popularity as a more permanent method of reducing the inherent tackiness of natural rubber latex compared to using powder as a dusting lubricant. Transmission of proteins in natural rubber latex into the air as a result of using powder on natural rubber latex gloves may cause serious complications to allergic individuals. A methodology for characterizing commercial chlorinated natural rubber latex gloves using a combination of attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and ion chromatography (IC) is described. ATR–FTIR studies established that 930–915 and 670–650 cm⁻¹ are definitive wavenumber ranges for the identification of chlorine in commercial chlorinated latex gloves. Confirmation of the ATR–FTIR results and semiquantification of the chlorine content in the latex gloves was carried out by the IC technique. This methodology can be used by glove manufacturers to determine the amount of chlorine in batches of commercial gloves, and thereby prevent possible threats to public health arising from the deterioration of surgical and examination chlorinated latex gloves under severe storage conditions before the end of their expected shelf life. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 672–682, 2001     

Grafting polythiophene on polyethylene surfaces

Polythiophene (PT) was grafted on PE film using three reaction steps. First, PE films were brominated in the gas phase, yielding PE–Br; second, a substitution reaction of PE–Br with 2‐thiophene thiolate anion gave the thiophene‐functionalized PE; finally PT was grafted on the PE surface using chemical oxidative polymerization to give PE–PT. The polymerization was carried out in a suspension solution of anhydrous FeCl₃ in CHCl₃, yielding a reddish PE–PT film after dedoping with ethanol. ATR‐FTIR shows that the PT was grafted on PE in the 2,5‐position. SEM imaging revealed islands of PT on the PE film. AFM analysis found the thickness of islands to be in the range of 120–145 nm. The conductivity of these thin films was in the range of 10^?6 S cm^?1, a significant increase from the value of ～10^?14 S cm^?1 measured for PE film. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of urethane/acrylate composite latex

Polyurethane dispersion and urethane/acrylate composite latex were synthesized and characterized by using a particle size analyzer, gel permeation chromatograph (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and instron test machine. The amount of solvent and dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) used during synthesis of polyurethane resin straightway affected the average particle size and stability of aqueous polyurethane dispersion. The particle size of polyurethane dispersion had nothing to do with that of composite latex. FTIR‐ATR analyses displayed both air‐facing and substrate‐facing surfaces, containing more polyurethane component than the average composition. Some crosslinking reactions occurred in preparing urethane/acrylic composite latex, as indicated by FTIR analyses and solvent extraction. DMA demonstrated three glass transitions for the film from composite latex. Instron tests exhibited better film performance properties for the composite latex than for the corresponding blend latex. A possible particle growth mechanism for preparing urethane/acrylate composite latex was proposed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1620–1628, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10526     

Novel composite biopolymers of sodium alginate/natural rubber/coconut waste for adsorption of Pb(II) ions

A novel composite adsorbent in the form of beads for removal of Pb²⁺ from wastewater was prepared by blending a sodium alginate (NaAlg) solution, natural rubber (NR) latex, and coconut waste (cofiber). After being crosslinked by calcium chloride, the beads were highly stable, flexible, and easily used in the environment. The optimum composition of the beads with an average size of 1.1–1.2 mm was 4% NaAlg:NR latex (60% dry rubber content):cofiber at 50:1:0.72 and a 2%w/w CaCl₂ solution used for cross linking. The physico‐chemical properties of the beads were examined by the swelling ratio measurement, ATR‐FTIR, and SEM. The effects of the amount of cofiber, NR, and initial Pb²⁺ ions, the pH of the medium, the bead content, and the contact time, on the adsorption of Pb²⁺ were investigated. NR improved the water resistance and, hence, the stability of the beads. The cofiber increased the porosity and contact area and, hence, the efficiency of the composite beads to adsorb the Pb²⁺ up to 99.6%. The prepared beads are promising material to use for the effective and economical removal of Pb²⁺ from water. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1013–1021, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Photoinitiated grafting of glycidyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid on ground tire rubber

Ground tire rubber (GTR) films and GTR particles were surface‐functionalized by glycidyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid through photoinitiated grafting. The grafting yield of GTR films was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR‐ATR). For the calibration of the FTIR‐ATR data, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used. The presence of epoxy and carboxyl groups on the GTR surface was demonstrated by contact‐angle measurements. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1622–1630, 2003     

Functionalization and cross‐linking of high‐density polyethylene in the presence of dicumyl peroxide—An FTIR study

High‐density polyethylene was thermolysed with short‐chain organic compounds (additives) with an ester functional group in the presence of free radical initiator such as dicumyl peroxide at 160°C. The experimental results inferred that an additive with a hydrogen donor containing a thiol group showed better efficiency toward functionalization and an additive with a methylene bridged group showed better efficiency toward cross‐linking. The FTIR spectral results indicated that the area of the carbonyl peak at 1730 cm^?1 increased with the increase in percentage grafting of additives with simultaneous increase of cross‐linking. The ester grafting was further confirmed by saponification reaction. The possibility of acid functionalization via intramolecular hydrogen transfer was also checked through acid hydrolysis of the saponified products. A suitable reaction mechanism was proposed in order to explain the experimental and spectral data obtained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 766–774, 2005     

Surface modification of polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses with the mixture of acrylic acid and acrylamide via plasma‐induced graft copolymerization

An approach is presented for the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) and acrylamide (AAm) mixture onto the surfaces of polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses (PMMA IOLs) treated with an Argon gas plasma, followed by the exposure to the oxygen atmosphere. In this case, peroxides formed by the plasma treatment are likely to be responsible for initiating the graft copolymerization. The amount of peroxides on the surface of PMMA IOLs was determined using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, and the maximum amount was found with the plasma treatment at 30 W for 20 s under 5 mTorr pressure. The surfaces of the grafted PMMA IOLs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy‐attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and contact angle meter. The FTIR‐ATR spectrum of PMMA‐g‐AAc‐AAm showed the characteristic band of PAAc at 1580 cm^?1 together with those of PAAm at 1670 and 1630 cm^?1, confirming that the copolymer of AAc and AAm was successfully grafted onto the surfaces of PMMA IOLs. The experimental data of O1s/C1s and N1s/C1s reasonably concurred with the calculated data, a strong indication that the pH value of the reaction medium at 3.77 could produce a graft with an equal molar ratio. Surface tension of the samples increased to 52 dyn/cm due to the graft of the hydrophilic monomers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2361–2366, 2002     

Preparation of hydrophobic polymer particles by radical polymerization and subsequent modification into magnetically doped particles

The application potential of hydrophobic polymer is numerous. Lauryl methacrylate (LMA) having long alkyl chain is a commercially available hydrophobic monomer. In this investigation, poly‐LMA (PLMA) latex particles were prepared by suspension polymerization in aqueous media using 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as steric stabilizer. The preparation kinetics was studied in detail in terms of percentage yield and particle size variation. Low glass transition temperature (～ ?65°C) associated with high flexibility did not allow electron micrographic observation though ¹H‐NMR and particle size measurement confirmed the formation of PLMA latex. To improve the glass transition temperature, aqueous emulsion copolymerization of LMA with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out. The solubility of LMA was improved by adding ethanol to the aqueous phase. Two types of polymeric stabilizers, PVA and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were used to stabilize the colloidal particles. The nature of the stabilizer affected both morphology and final rate of polymerization. The hydrophobic P(LMA‐MMA) copolymer particles were subsequently modified by nanosized magnetic (Fe₃O₄) particles by two different methods. The in situ formation of Fe₃O₄ particles in presence of P(LMA‐MMA) was found to be suitable for the preparation of magnetic latex particles. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), FTIR, transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used for the characterization of magnetically doped particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation and surface properties of core‐shell polyacrylate latex containing fluorine and silicon in the shell

The core‐shell polyacrylate latex particles containing fluorine and silicon in the shell were successfully synthesized by a seed emulsion polymerization, using methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) as main monomers, dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA), and γ‐(methacryloxy) propyltrimethoxy silane (KH‐570) as functional monomers. The influence of the amount of fluorine and silicon monomers on the emulsion polymerization process and the surface properties of the latex films were discussed, and the surface free energy of latex films were estimated using two different theoretical models. The emulsion and its films were characterized by particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR and ¹⁹F‐NMR) spectrometry, contact angle (CA) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TG) analysis. The results indicate that the average particle size of the latex particles is about 160 nm and the PSD is narrow, the synthesized latex particles exist with core‐shell structure, and a gradient distribution of fluorine and silicon exist in the latex films. In addition, both the hydrophobicity and thermal stability of the latex films are greatly improved because of the enrichment of fluorine and silicon at the film‐air interface, and the surface free energy is as low as 15.4 mN/m, which is comparable to that of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

The grafting reaction of epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes with carboxylic methoxypolyethylene glycols and the properties of composite solid polymer electrolytes with the graftomer

A novel organic–inorganic hybrid of epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (e‐POSS)–grafted carboxylic methoxypolyethylene glycols (mPEG‐COOH), that is, a POSS‐mPEG graftomer, was synthesized. The grafting reaction of e‐POSS and mPEG‐COOH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. Then the graftomer was used to develop new composite solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films with a carboxylated nitrile rubber–epoxidized natural rubber (XNBR‐ENR) self‐crosslinked blend system as a dual‐phase polymer matrix. The self‐crosslinked reaction of the XNBR‐ENR matrix was investigated using ATR‐FTIR. The morphology of the SPE films and the distribution of lithium salt were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction, and the result illustrated that the addition of POSS‐mPEG could promote and accelerate the dissociation of LiClO₄. The best effect within the range of this study was achieved when 25 phr POSS‐mPEG was involved. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis proved that the glass‐transition temperature of the composite SPE films was reduced with the increase of POSS‐mPEG. The ionic conductivity of the composite SPE films was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The highest ionic conductivity in this study of 2.57 × 10^?5 S cm^?1 was obtained with 25 phr POSS‐mPEG loading. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44460.     

Photografting of methyl methacrylate onto high‐density polyethylene initiated by aliphatic ketones

The photografting of a water‐insoluble monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) initiated by an aliphatic ketone/water/alcohol initiating system has been reported. The aliphatic ketones, such as acetone, butanone, and cyclohexanone, could effectively initiate the grafting reaction when they were mixed with water and ethanol to form homogeneous aliphatic ketone/water/ethanol mixed solvents that could dissolve the water‐insoluble monomer. The nature of aliphatic ketone affected the grafting; at the same aliphatic ketone/water/ethanol volume ratio, the grafting system containing acetone or butanone always led to a higher extent of grafting than that containing cyclohexanone. Water also played a very important role in the grafting reaction; in the tested range, the rate of formation of grafted PMMA on HDPE increased with the increase of water : volume ratio. The grafting of MMA carried out in 5 acetone/40 water/55 ethanol mixed solvent led to the highest extent of grafting. ATR‐FTIR characterizations of the grafted samples proved the successful grafting of MMA onto HDPE. SEM investigations of the HDPE surfaces grafted in different aliphatic ketone/water/ethanol mixed solvents indicate the morphologies of grafted surfaces varied with the mixed solvents used. This study broadened the application fields of the aliphatic ketone/water/alcohol initiating system for photografting. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Friction and wear behavior of proton‐implanted phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone)

Blocks of phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone) (PES‐C) were implanted with 110 keV protons in four doses: 1 × 10¹⁴, 5 × 10¹⁴, 2.5 × 10¹⁵, and 1.25 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm². The structures of the pristine and implanted PES‐C blocks were characterized by FTIR–ATR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), whereas their friction and wear behavior were investigated with an M‐2000 friction and wear tester at room temperature in an ambient atmosphere. The results revealed that with an increased implantation dose, it took more time for the friction coefficient to become smaller and level off when the dose did not exceed 10¹⁶ ions/cm². At the highest dose, 1.25 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm², the friction coefficient started smaller but increased quickly and leveled off at a higher number. In addition, the wear rate first increased and then decreased. When the dose exceeded 10¹⁶ ions/cm², the wear rate of the sample showed an obvious decrease. The FTIR–ATR spectra showed that partial degradation took place on the surface of PES‐C after proton implantation, and when the dose reached or exceeded 2.5 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm², a new broad peak between 1600 and 1800 cm^?1 appeared, showing that a carbon‐rich structure had formed on the sample surface. XPS analyses justified the FTIR–ATR results, including the formation of amorphous carbon and the partial degradation, which was responsible for the variety of friction and wear behaviors of PES‐C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3116–3119, 2006     

Graft polymerization of vinyl acetate onto granular starch: Comparison on the potassium persulfate and ceric ammonium nitrate initiated system

This work was undertaken to discuss in depth the vital differences in the morphological development during synthesis, and properties of starch‐g‐poly‐(vinyl acetate) copolymers using two different initiators, potassium persulfate (KPS) and ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). KPS‐initiated system gave relatively low values of grafting ratio and grafting efficiency, indicating a great tendency for the formation of poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer (PVAc). Yet, higher values were seen for the CAN‐initiated system. Transmission electron microscope observations indicated a relatively broad distribution of latex particles for the KPS‐initiated system. The surface potential of latex particles was about ?3.5 mV, which turned out to be insufficient to maintain stability of latex particles. On the other hand, a uniform particle size distribution was found for the CAN‐initiated system, as the surface potential of latex particles was 21.5 mV. Moreover, radicals on starch molecules were generated directly through a redox reaction with positively charged ceric ion. The hydrophobic PVAc chains were thus grafted on starch, resulting in an amphiphilic graft copolymer, which provides a sufficient stabilization degree as a role of surfactant to render a relatively uniform distribution of latex particles. The synthesized starch‐g‐poly(vinyl acetate) copolymers were further converted to starch‐g‐poly(vinyl alcohol) through saponification, which were subjected to evaluations regarding the biodegradation and cell culture capability. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3017–3027, 2006     

Particle size and morphology of poly[styrene‐co‐(butyl acrylate)]/nano‐silica composite latex

Nanocomposite latex with nano‐silica of varying particle sizes was prepared via in situ polymerization and investigated by submicron particle size analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and Raman spectrometry. It was found that nanocomposite latex exhibited a core–shell structure with nano‐silica particles enwrapped, resulting in an increase in the latex particle size. The smaller the nano‐silica particles, the more were embedded in each latex particle. The increase in the particle size of latex depended not only on the particle size of nano‐silica, but also on the number of nano‐silica particles in each latex particle. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry