Phenyl-Containing Silicone–Acrylate Core–Shell Particles for Transparent Toughening of PMMA with Enhanced Property Retention Under UVA Aging
- 1School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
- 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
Abstract
Transparent toughening of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) requires simultaneous control of mechanical energy dissipation and optical scattering, together with retention of properties under ultraviolet exposure. Here, silicone–acrylate (Si–ACR) core–shell particles comprising a PHSO-derived silicone-rich core and a PMMA-rich outer region were prepared by two-stage seeded emulsion polymerization without a deliberately added grafting agent. The phenyl-containing silicone-rich phase was selected to reduce the anticipated refractive-index contrast with PMMA. Si–ACR particles with an average diameter of 275 nm provided a favorable mechanical–optical balance. At 15 wt% Si–ACR, the notched Izod impact strength increased from 1.8 to 18.1 kJ/m2, while total luminous transmittance remained 91.4% and 90.8% for 1 and 2 mm specimens, respectively, with haze below 0.8%. Fracture morphology was consistent with local debonding and/or void formation followed by enhanced plastic deformation of the PMMA matrix. After 500 h of accelerated UVA exposure, the blend retained an impact strength of 16.8 kJ/m2 and a transmittance of 89.7% for the 1 mm specimen. These findings suggest potential applications in transparent protective shields and optical covers requiring improved impact resistance, low haze, and property retention under UVA exposure.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026phenylcontaining,
title = {{Phenyl-Containing Silicone–Acrylate Core–Shell Particles for Transparent Toughening of PMMA with Enhanced Property Retention Under UVA Aging}},
author = {Yuao Li and Fan Yang and Xiang Liu and Runxiong Lin and Tao Zhuang},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/polym18202564},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2564},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Phenyl-Containing Silicone–Acrylate Core–Shell Particles for Transparent Toughening of PMMA with Enhanced Property Retention Under UVA Aging
AU - Yuao Li
AU - Fan Yang
AU - Xiang Liu
AU - Runxiong Lin
AU - Tao Zhuang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18202564
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2564
AB - Transparent toughening of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) requires simultaneous control of mechanical energy dissipation and optical scattering, together with retention of properties under ultraviolet exposure. Here, silicone–acrylate (Si–ACR) core–shell particles comprising a PHSO-derived silicone-rich core and a PMMA-rich outer region were prepared by two-stage seeded emulsion polymerization without a deliberately added grafting agent. The phenyl-containing silicone-rich phase was selected to reduce the anticipated refractive-index contrast with PMMA. Si–ACR particles with an average diameter of 275 nm provided a favorable mechanical–optical balance. At 15 wt% Si–ACR, the notched Izod impact strength increased from 1.8 to 18.1 kJ/m2, while total luminous transmittance remained 91.4% and 90.8% for 1 and 2 mm specimens, respectively, with haze below 0.8%. Fracture morphology was consistent with local debonding and/or void formation followed by enhanced plastic deformation of the PMMA matrix. After 500 h of accelerated UVA exposure, the blend retained an impact strength of 16.8 kJ/m2 and a transmittance of 89.7% for the 1 mm specimen. These findings suggest potential applications in transparent protective shields and optical covers requiring improved impact resistance, low haze, and property retention under UVA exposure.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -