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The self-assembly of pH-responsive poly (methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) latex particles at emulsion droplet interfaces was achieved. Raising pH increases the hydrophilicity of the latex particles in situ and the latex particle acts as an efficient particulate emulsifier self-assembling at emulsion droplet interface at around pH 10-11 but exhibits no emulsifier activity at higher pH. This effect can be reversibly induced simply by varying the aqueous phase pH and thus the latex emulsifier can be reassembled. The effect factors, including the aqueous phase pH, the surface carboxyl content, z-Potential of the latex particles and oil phase solvent have been investigated. Using monomer as oil phase, the latex particles could stabilize emulsion droplets during polymerization and cage-like polymer microspheres with hollow core/porous shell structure were obtained after polymerization. The mechanism of the latex particles self-assembly was discussed. The morphologies of emulsion and microspheres were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

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