Preparation and characterization of polystyrene/polycarbonate composite hollow microspheres by microencapsulation method

Polystyrene/polycarbonate (PS/PC) composite hollow microspheres were successfully prepared via microencapsulation method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were used for the characterization of the obtained hollow microspheres. SEM images showed that there were a big cavity and some small cavities inside the composite hollow microspheres, and the hollow microspheres prepared at 42 °C presented better morphology and smaller size distribution compared with that prepared at higher temperature of solvent evaporation. The tap density of the composite hollow microspheres increased from 0.28 g cm⁻³ at PS/PC composite concentration of 5 wt% in oil phase to 0.42 g cm⁻³ at concentration of 11.7 wt%. The mean diameter of the composite hollow microspheres ranged from 13 to 528 μm. It increased with an increase in the concentration of composite in oil phase and decreased with increasing the second rotating speed. Thermal analysis showed that the composite hollow had thermal stability below 358 °C.