Miniemulsion polymerization for synthesis of structured clay/polymer nanocomposites: Short review and recent advances

Abstract

International audienceThis review intends to present different aspects concerning clay/polymer nanocomposites produced by heterophase polymerization in aqueous media. This paper highlights the ability of miniemulsion polymerization to produce clay/polymer nanoparticles with tailored nanostructures. Indeed, this polymerization route enables the synthesis of composite nanoparticles with the clay platelets located either on the surface of the polymer particle or embedded inside the polymer particle. A focus is given on the influence of these nanostructures on the properties of the final material through a direct comparison of the composites obtained after water evaporation from these structured nanoparticles. indeed, the film obtained from the film forming process of these nanoparticles present significantly different nanostructures and exhibit totally different mechanical behaviours and water uptakes. By comparing experimental results and modeling approaches, it is demonstrated that their properties are clearly related to the clay dispersion and contacts. It is also evidenced that the main drawback of miniemulsion from the coating application point of view, is the large water uptake promoted by the surfactant presence whose localization is strongly influenced by nanostructuration. This stresses the need for the further development of surfactant free miniemulsion polymerization using advantageously the clay presence to stabilize the emulsion

New evidence for hybrid acrylic/TiO2 films inducing bacterial inactivation under low intensity simulated sunlight

“…Among all the polymer/inorganic NPs hybrid morphologies that can be obtained by this method, Pickering stabilization allows obtaining a layer of NPs at the surface of the film after film formation. Pickering latexes are usually stabilized by inorganic fillers such as silica NPs and clays [27][28][29][30]. Nevertheless, in the last decade titanium dioxide NPs have also been employed as polymer particle's stabilizers [31][32][33].…”

Polimerização RAFT em Miniemulsão

“…Para sintetizar nano-hidrogéis por meio de polimerizações com reticulação, é quase sempre necessário usar um sistema inverso; ou seja, um sistema em que a fase contínua seja de caráter apolar e a fase dispersa polar, estabilizada por um surfactante lipofílico [13] . Quando se deseja carregar as nanopartículas com produtos orgânicos ou inorgânicos, solúveis ou não no meio reacional, o sistema heterogêneo de polimerização mais viável para sintetizar essas nanopartículas híbridas [131][132][133] é a polimerização em miniemulsão, em função da facilidade para dispersar o meio reacional na presença de outros materiais, solubilizados ou não na carga de monômeros [134,135] . Por isso, não surpreende que os nano-hidrogéis sejam produzidos majoritariamente por miniemulsões inversas.…”

Morphology control of silica/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-styrene) hybrid nanoparticles via multiple-miniemulsion approach

“…Furthermore, in recent years, abundant novel techniques have been worked out in great detail to elaborate hollow particles or capsules. Such techniques, worthy of notice are hard and soft templating techniques, in situ and hetero phase polymerization (20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Most of these techniques are based on the sol-gel process, and includes preparation of a silica layer on the polymeric or hybrid particles via hydrolysis and condensation of the silica precursor (4,25,26), e.g.…”