Generalized Approach for Fabricating Monodisperse Anisotropic Microparticles via Single-Hole Swelling PGMA Seed Particles

A unique phenomenon-a single hole appeared gradually on the surface of the seed particles and grew with the proceeding of swelling-has been observed during swelling poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) particles. PGMA particles suffer the function of the swelling agent and styrene monomer and form a single hole on their surface. SEM and TEM were utilized to observe and demonstrate the forming process. Inconceivably, monodisperse poly(glycidyl methacrylate)/polystyrene (PGMA/PS) anisotropic microparticles, including Janus, raspberry-shaped, acorn-shaped, and hollow with open mouth, have been fabricated by the seed polymerization of these single-hole microparticles as a generalized approach. The morphology evolution of PGMA/PS is investigated by regulating the amount of monomer and monomer/seed weight ratio. Moreover, the surface of PGMA/PS microparticles are rich in epoxy groups, which has bright prospects in application in biomacromolecule immobilization and superhydrophilic/superhydrophobic coating.