SYNTHESIS OF POLYSTYRENE SILICA GEL POLYMER HYBRIDS BY IN-SITU POLYMERIZATION METHOD/

Homogeneous polystyrene and silica gel polymer hybrids were prepared b y in-situ radical polymerization method. Styrene monomer was introduce d into a sol-gel reaction mixture of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and the polymerization was initiated by Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), while sol-gel reaction of TMOS proceeded to form a silica gel. The homogenei ty of the hybrids was found to be dependent on the amount of the acid catalyst. The homogeneity was confirmed quantitatively by measuring po rosity of charred hybrids with nitrogen porosimetry method. It was fou nd that polystyrene was dispersed at a nano-meter level in the silica gel matrix.