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Hybrid latex particles combine the unique properties of inorganic nano/micro particles with the inherent properties of polymers, exhibiting tremendous potential for a variety of applications. Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the design and preparation of hybrid latex particles with well-defined size, structure and morphology. Due to its simplicity, versatility and environmental friendliness, the in situ (Pickering) emulsion polymerization has been demonstrated to be a powerful approach for the large-scale preparation of hybrid latex particles. In this review, the strategies and applications of in situ (Pickering) emulsion polymerization for the preparation of hybrid latex particles are systematically summarized. A particular focus is placed on the strategies for the preparation of hybrid latex particles with enhanced properties and well-defined core–shell, yolk–shell, multinuclear, raspberry-like, dumbbell-shaped, multipod-like or armored morphologies. We hope that the considerable advances, examples and principles presented in this review can motivate future contributions to provide a deeper understanding of current preparation technologies, develop new processes, and enable further exploitation of hybrid latex particles with outstanding characteristics and properties.

Janus particles (JPs), as a special material with anisotropic chemical or physical partitioning, show great potential for application in the fields of material science, biomedicine, energy, and environment. How to achieve fine structural control and large-scale synthesis of JPs is the key point and difficulty for JPs. Seeded emulsion polymerization, as a simple and efficient method, plays an important role in the controlled fabrication of JPs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in the preparation of JPs via seeded emulsion polymerization. We systematically summarize the process mechanisms and key parameters influencing the formation of Janus structures, with particular emphasis on the effects of seed characteristics, polymerization conditions, and component selection on particle morphology and anisotropy.

Polymeric microspheres synthesized via Pickering emulsion polymerization offer structural tunability, making them attractive platforms for dye adsorption. This study investigates the adsorption behavior of methylene blue onto two classes of polymeric microspheres—poly(methacrylic acid) crosslinked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PM), containing both micro- and nanopores, and poly(methacrylic acid) crosslinked with divinylbenzene (PD), containing only nanopores. The adsorption kinetics were modeled using a dual-process approach that distinguishes between diffusion-controlled transport and surface-controlled kinetic adsorption. We quantified the relative contributions of these mechanisms and correlated them with particle architecture. In the PM particles, diffusion plays a significant role in smaller particles with larger macropores, enabling methylene blue to penetrate the interior. As the particle size increased and macroporosity decreased, adsorption becomes increasingly dominated by surface kinetics. In contrast, PD particles —which lack macropores—showed the opposite trend: smaller particles were primarily governed by fast surface adsorption, while in larger particles, diffusion through nanopores became increasingly relevant. Correlation analysis between adsorption rate constants and structural parameters such as particle diameter and pore sizes revealed strong, opposing trends. In PD particles, a near-perfect inverse correlation was observed between the diffusion and kinetic components, indicating competitive suppression, where the dominance of one mechanism limited the contribution of the other. These results demonstrated that internal pore architecture played a central role in controlling the adsorption mechanism. Tuning particle size and porosity allowed deliberate control over the balance between diffusion and surface kinetics, enabling the rational design of microparticle adsorbents with tailored uptake behavior for water purification and dye removal applications.

Waterborne polyurethane, with a mechanical strength comparable to solvent-based types, is eco-friendly and safe, using water as a dispersion medium. Polyacrylate excels in film formation and weather resistance but suffers from “hot stickiness and cold brittleness”. Merging polyurethane and polyacrylate creates advanced hybrids, while organosilicon enhances properties but is restricted due to hydrolytic crosslinking. In this paper, a series of polyurethane–polyacrylate hybrid latexes with high organosilicon content were prepared using phase inversion emulsion polymerization technology. Even when the monomer content of 3-(methacryloyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) was increased to 10%, the polymerization process was stable, without the formation of a gel precipitate. The resulting latexes could remain stable for at least 6 months without significant changes in the properties of their films. The effects of MPS content on the mechanical and thermal properties of latex films were systematically researched. The study showed that with an increase in MPS dosage, the hardness and elastic modulus of the latex films increased, while the elongation at break and water absorption decreased, together with the increased glass transition temperature and surface hydrophilicity. This work aims to provide new theoretical guidance for the preparation of silicone-modified hybrid latexes, enabling their safe and stable production and storage.

In order to solve the problems of long dissolution and preparation time, cumbersome preparation, and easy moisture absorption and deterioration during storage or transportation, acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), sodium p-styrene sulfonate (SSS), and cetyl dimethylallyl ammonium chloride (DMAAC-16) were selected as raw materials, and the emulsion thickener P(AM/AA/SSS), which can be instantly dissolved in water and rapidly thickened, was prepared by the reversed-phase emulsion polymerization method. DMAAC-16, the influence of emulsifier dosage, oil–water ratio, monomer molar ratio, monomer dosage, aqueous pH, initiator dosage, reaction temperature, reaction time, and other factors on the experiment was explored by a single-factor experiment, and the optimal process was determined as follows: the oil–water volume ratio was 0.4, the emulsifier dosage was 7% of the oil phase mass, the initiator dosage was 0.03% of the total mass of the reaction system, the reaction time was 4 h, the reaction temperature was 50 °C, the aqueous pH was 6.5, and the monomer dosage was 30% of the total mass of the reaction system (monomeric molar ratio n(AM):n(AA):n(SSS):n(DMAAC-16) = 79.2:20:0.5:0.3). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy analysis were carried out on the polymerization products. At the same time, a series of performance test experiments such as thickening performance, temperature and shear resistance, salt resistance, sand suspension performance, core damage performance, and fracturing fluid flowback fluid reuse were carried out to evaluate the comprehensive effect and efficiency of the synthetic products, and the results show that the P(AM/AA/SSS/DMAAC-16) polymer had excellent solubility and excellent properties such as temperature and shear resistance.

Porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated using the high internal polymerization emulsion (HIPE) technique. Bis(ε-caprolactone-4-yl) (BCY) was utilized as crosslinker. The crosslinking density and the volume fraction of the dispersed phase were varied in order to study the potential effect of these parameters on the hydrolytic degradation at 37 °C and 60 °C. After different hydrolysis times the remaining solid samples were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the degradation products in the aqueous aging solutions were analyzed by laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). The effect of temperature on the degradation process and release of degradation products was, as expected, significant. The temperature effect was also shown by FTIR analysis that displayed a pronounced increase in the intensity of the hydroxyl-group absorption band after 70 days of hydrolysis at 60 °C indicating significant cleavage of the polymer chains. LDI-MS analysis proved the release of oligomers ranging from dimers to hexamers. The product patterns were similar, but the relative m/z signal intensities increased with increasing time, temperature and crosslinking density, indicating larger amounts of released products. The latter is probably due to the decreasing degree of crystallinity as a function of amount of crosslinker. The porous structure and morphology of the scaffolds were lost during the aging. The higher the crosslinking density, the longer the scaffolds retained their original porous structure and morphology.

Organic semiconductors (OSCs) promise to deliver next‐generation electronic and energy devices that are flexible, scalable and printable. Unfortunately, realizing this opportunity is hampered by increasing concerns about the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly toxic halogenated solvents that are detrimental to the environment and human health. Here, a cradle‐to‐grave process is reported to achieve high performance p‐ and n‐type OSC devices based on indacenodithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole semiconducting polymers that utilizes aqueous‐processes, fewer steps, lower reaction temperatures, a significant reduction in VOCs (>99%) and avoids all halogenated solvents. The process involves an aqueous mini‐emulsion polymerization that generates a surfactant‐stabilized aqueous dispersion of OSC nanoparticles at sufficient concentration to permit direct aqueous processing into thin films for use in organic field‐effect transistors. Promisingly, the performance of these devices is comparable to those prepared using conventional synthesis and processing procedures optimized for large amounts of VOCs and halogenated solvents. Ultimately, the holistic approach reported addresses the environmental issues and enables a viable guideline for the delivery of future OSC devices using only aqueous media for synthesis, purification and thin‐film processing. An environmentally benign cradle‐to‐grave process from synthesis‐to‐device is demonstrated for high performance organic field‐effect transistors. This holistic approach uses aqueous processes from mini‐emulsion polymerization to purification and thin‐film deposition. Compared to conventional approaches, the process requires fewer steps, lower reaction temperatures, a significant reduction in the use of volatile organic compounds and avoids toxic halogenated solvents.

This work summarizes strategies to enhance the colloidal stability of styrene-acrylic latexes under industrial-relevant operating conditions, using anionic alkenyl ether phosphate (Maxemul™ 6106) and nonionic alkenyl ethoxylated polymerizable surfactants (Maxemul™ 5010) for waterborne paints. The influence of polymerizable surfactants mixed with conventional anionic surfactant and semi-batch seeded emulsion polymerization on the colloidal stability, particle size, zeta potential, electrolyte stability, water absorption of the polymer films, wet scrub resistance, and water absorption of the paint films were investigated. The contribution of semi-batch seeded operating conditions on the colloidal stability of poly(St/BA/AA/AM) latexes and on the waterborne paints was studied. The results showed a significant improvement in the latex stability against coagulation and end-use properties when compared to unseeded latex. The use of semi-batch seeded emulsion polymerization enhanced the application properties of the latex and paints based on the polymerizable surfactant mixtures. When polymerizable surfactant was used together with conventional anionic surfactant in semi-batch seeded conditions, stable latexes, particle sizes ranging from 105 to 130 nm, and better scrub resistance of the paint films were obtained. The use of polymerizable surfactants helps to reduce the total amount of surfactant in the latex recipe. Furthermore, the use of semi-batch seeded conditions helps in the control of particle size, coagulum content, electrolyte stability of the latexes, and increased wet scrub resistance of the paint films. The use of a seed latex prepared in situ provides additional insights for the production of poly(St/BA/AA/AM) latexes characterized by an increase in both colloidal stability and wet scrub resistance of the paint films. Graphical Abstract

A novel, molecularly imprinted, upconversion fluorescence probe (UCNP@MIFP) for sulfonamide sensing was fabricated by Pickering emulsion polymerization using UCNP@SiO2 particles as the stabilizer and sulfamethazine/sulfamerazine as the co-templates. The synthesis conditions of the UCNP@MIFP were optimized, and the synthesized probe was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analyzer, and fluorescence spectrometer. The UCNP@MIFPs showed a good adsorption capacity and a fast kinetic feature for the template. The selectivity experiment revealed that the UCNP@MIFP has a broad-spectrum molecular recognition capability. Good linear relationships were obtained over the concentration range of 1–10 ng/mL for sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfathiazole, and sulfafurazole, with low limits of detection in the range of 1.37–2.35 ng/mL. The prepared UCNP@MIFP has the potential to detect four sulfonamide residues in food and environmental water.

Hydrogel particles, renowned for their high water content and biocompatibility in drug delivery and tissue engineering, typically rely on complex, costly microfluidic systems to reach sub 5 µm dimensions. We present a vortex-based inverse-emulsion polymerization strategy in which UV crosslinking of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) dispersed in n-hexadecane and squalene yields tunable micro- and nanogels while delineating the parameters that govern particle size and uniformity. Systematic variation in surfactant concentration, vessel volume, continuous phase viscosity, vortex speed and duration, oil-to-polymer ratio, polymer molecular weight, and pulsed vortexing revealed that increases in surfactant level, vortex intensity/duration, vessel volume, and oil-to-polymer ratio each reduced mean diameter and PDI, whereas higher polymer molecular weight and continuous phase viscosity broadened the size distribution. We further investigated how these same parameters can be tuned to shift particle populations between nano- and microscale regimes. Under optimized conditions, microhydrogels achieved a coefficient of variation of 0.26 and a PDI of 0.07, with excellent reproducibility, and nanogels measured 161 nm (PDI = 0.05). This rapid, cost-effective method enables precise and scalable control over hydrogel dimensions using only standard laboratory equipment, without specialized training.