Design of polystyrene latex particles covered with polyoxometalate clusters via multiple covalent bonding

Abstract

Polyoxometalates (POMs) covalently functionalized with methyl methacrylate groups were applied as surfactants in the emulsion polymerization reaction of styrene. Due to the copolymerization of the methyl methacrylate groups and the styrene monomers, the polyoxometalate clusters are covalently grafted onto the surface of polystyrene latex nanoparticles. Such latex particles are fully covered with catalytic POM clusters and might serve as quasi-homogeneous catalysts.