High Refractive Index Transparent PS/nano-inorganic Hybrid Materials

By solvethermal method, nano-inorganic particles with high refractive index were introduced into polystyrene matrix to prepare a series of high refractive index nanocomposites. The effect of different comonomers, different nano-inorgaic particles and their contents, various hydrolysis stabilizers and surface oxidization on the morphology and properties has been investigated in detail. The results show that ZrO₂, TiO₂ and Si can effectively improve the refractive index of polystyrene without affecting the transparency with the addition of the appropriate comonomers and hydrolysis stabilizers. For PS/ZrO₂ composite, its refractive index reached 1.72 and transparency is above 80%, and surface property change from the hydrophobic to hydrophilic with the increase of ZrO₂. The refractive index of transparent PS/TiO₂ and PS/Si composites is 1.86 and 2.04, respectively.