Synthesis of composite eccentric double-shelled hollow spheres

Eccentric double-shelled hollow polyethylacrylate (PEA)/polystyrene (PS) crosslinked composite spheres were synthesized by phase separation during swelling polymerization of their mother polymer hollow spheres. The group –NH2 was introduced within the network by ammonization of PEA. Other materials for example silica could be favorably grown within the gel network by a sol–gel process. The polymer/silica hollow spheres gave the corresponding derivative hollow spheres with varied composition including SiO2/carbon, carbon and β-SiC, with the eccentric double-shelled morphology retained.