Dispersion polymerization in non-polar solvent: Evolution toward emerging applications

Abstract

Currently, there is a resurgence of interest in the preparation of monodisperse, size-controlled latex particles in non-polar solvents by the dispersion polymerization technique. This technique has great potential for manufacturing bespoke latex particles for emerging applications such as the use of latex particles in electrophoretic displays, where one of the numerous requirements is that the particle systems be suspended in low dielectric constant, non-polar solvents. This article reviews the academic literature around the typical monomers used in non-polar dispersion polymerization. It briefly introduces the origin of the technique and the initial seminal work carried out in this area. It also describes how such particles have been used in the past as model colloids for academic purposes and provide recent examples where dispersion polymerization is used to create novel functional particles. Subsequently, the article provides a thorough knowledge basis for each monomer used in non-polar dispersion polymerization, with a focus on the evolution of the technique, including progress in controlling the final particle characteristics and in designing novel effective stabilizers. Finally, a brief review on the use of the technique to prepare well-controlled latex particles in supercritical fluids is also presented.

The internal structure of poly(methyl methacrylate) latexes in nonpolar solvents

“…Dispersions of colloids in nonpolar solvents are prevalent in soft matter nanoscience [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The significance of such dispersions can be appreciated by considering the many various industrial sectors that make use of them, which include petrochemicals [13], lubricants [7,14,15], reprography [4,5], inkjet printing [5], magnetic recording media [4], rheological fluids [16,17], and electronic displays [18][19][20][21].…”

“…Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latexes, originally developed through an industrial-academic collaboration between the University of Bristol and ICI [22,23], have proved an essential tool for colloid scientists to develop new technologies and study fundamental interactions in nonpolar media. These PMMA latexes are typically sterically-stabilized with poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) (PHSA) brushes, although there is active research into developing other effective steric stabilizers [8,[24][25][26][27][28]. They are generally dispersed in either n-alkanes or in mixed solvents to achieve density or refractive index matching (typically decalin and either brominated cycloalkanes or carbon disulfide) [29][30][31][32][33][34].…”

Fabrication of fluorinated raspberry particles and their use as building blocks for the construction of superhydrophobic films to mimic the wettabilities from lotus leaves to rose petals

“…55 However, significant challenges can be encountered in attempts to prepare uniform cross-linked particles via dispersion copolymerization, especially in situations involving copolymerization reactions with a cross-linker, since the cross-linker has bifunctional vinyl groups that can hinder a well-controlled growth of the particles during the polymerization. Dispersion polymerization techniques involving a single batch process in which all of the reactants are mixed and heated have been extensively studied with regard to the preparation of uniform micron-sized polymer particles.…”

Monte Carlo simulation of the dispersion polymerization of styrene

“…3,4 Particles with selected surface properties and tunable size can be easily obtained from a wide variety of monomers via dispersion polymerization. These particles have found a wide range of applications and become a very hot topic recently.…”