Effect of charge control agent on electrophoretic characteristics of polymer encapsulated titania nanoparticle

Titania nanoparticles with hydrophilic surface characteristics were encapsulated with poly(methyl methacrylate) via a dispersion polymerization method for their electronic-ink application. In addition, to enhance their electrophoretic properties, a dielectric functional group was introduced using a comonomer of ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate. Encapsulation on particle surface was characterized using SEM and dynamic light scattering. Electrophoretic characteristics of the nanoparticles were studied using two different charge control agents via an electrophoretic mobility analyzer. In order to observe electrophoretic movement of the nanoparticles in medium oil, a prototype device was manufactured using ITO glass, in which various movements of electrophoretic nanoparticles were observed with different charge control agents. -- Highlights: ► Hydrophilic titania nanoparticles were encapsulated with PMMA via dispersion polymerization. ► Electrophoretic characteristics were studied using two different charge control agents. ► Electrophoretic movement of the nanoparticles was observed using a prototype device manufactured with ITO glass.