Polymer Latex Technology: An Overview

Abstract

Polymer nanoparticles find use in a number of applications like coatings, adhesives, paints, etc. The applications of these nanoparticles are significantly affected by their physical properties as well as surface morphology, which can be controlled by the synthesis process used to generate such particles. Emulsion poly mer i za tion and its modified methodologies are the most commonly used techniques to achieve poly mer nanoparticles. These techniques also allow the generation or surface functionalization of the particles either in situ or by following separate specific steps. Polymerization of monomer by emulsion poly mer i za tion offers significant advantages in the whole poly meri za tion process as compared to bulk and solution poly mer i za tion methods. It allows better control of the heat and viscosity of the system, and emulsion poly mer i za tion allows the achievement of an increase in molecular weight of the poly mer chains without negatively impacting the rate of poly mer i za tion [1]. In emulsion poly mer i za tion, most of the monomer is present as monomer droplets in the aqueous phase, which diffuses to the polymerizing particles during the course of poly mer i za tion. The diffusion of the monomer is