Reconstruction of morphology of micron-sized, monodisperse composite polymer particles by Tthe solvent-absorbing\releasing method

Micron-sized, monodisperse polystyrene (PS)\poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) (2\1 w\w) composite particles having different morphologies were prepared by the solventabsorbing\releasing method (SARM). There was an obvious influence of the releasing rate of toluene from the toluene-swollen composite particles on the reconstructed morphology by the SARM. In the case of fast release, the reconstructed morphology was a bicontinuous structure that is similar to that formed by spinodal decomposition. On the other hand, in the case of slow release, a hemispherical structure was formed that consisted of PS and PBMA phases.