This volume spans the field of polymer colloids — many types of latexes are represented, including homopolymers, copolymers, and natural polymers, those made with reactive surfactants and polymeric stabilizers, surface-modified latexes, hybrids, and blends. It discusses a variety of polymerization processes, ranging from batch to semicontinuous; free radical and controlled free radical processes are also presented, along with dispersion and suspension methods. Polymerization kinetics, on-line monitoring, and control methods are also included.

From the Preface: “The diversity of research in polymer colloids continues to grow. Although the subject may seem narrow to those on the outside, it is witnessed by those of us inside as being rich in variety as can be seen by a glance at the chapter titles in this symposium book. It is an expanding field that can scarcely be contained in a single phrase or book...This book contains a wide variety of chapters ranging from the academic to the practical. Although most chapters originate in academic labs, the majority are oriented toward industrial interests...”

Target Audience: Academic and industrial researchers and technologists concerned with the science and technology of latex systems.

Table of Contents:

Overview of Polymer Colloids: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications

Colloidal Stability Analysis of a Core—Shell Emulsion

Particle Aggregation in Polymer Latexes

Probing the Effects of Polymer—Particle Interactions in Solution by Microrheology

The Role of "Free Charge" in the Deposition of Latex Particles onto Pulp Fibers

The Effect of Hydrophilic Nonionogenic Comonomers on Flow Properties of Carboxylated Latexes

Seeded Growth: Avoidance of Secondary Particle Formation

On-Line Monitoring of Emulsion Polymerization

Challenges in On-Line Control of Composition and Molecular Weight Distribution of Nonlinear Emulsion Copolymers

Kinetics of Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of Polyurethane Resins

Living Free Radical Miniemulsion Polymerization of Styrene

Dispersed Condensation Polymerization in Supercritical Fluids

Improving Latex Performance by Using Polymerizable Surfactants

Characterization of Latexes Synthesized Using a Reactive Surfactant and Its Polymeric Counterpart

Stabilization Mechanisms in Vinyl Acetate Emulsion Polymerization Stabilized by Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Modeling of Young's Modulus of Latex Blend Films as a Function of the Carboxyl Group Concentration on the Latex Particles

Morphology and Adhesive Force of Natural Rubber Latex Films by Atomic Force Microscopy

Microencapsulation of Fine Titanium Dixoide Powders from (S/O)/W Emulsion with Subsequent Solvent Evaporation

New Core—Shell Dispersions with Reactive Groups

A Novel Surface Functionalization Method for Producing Carboxyl-Functional Poly(methyl styrene) Latexes

Temperature-Sensitive Hairy Particles

Ethylene-Modified Latexes: Preparation, Miscibility Enhancement, and Barrier Properties

Water-Based Hybrids of Vinyl Acetate—Ethylene Copolymers and Cross-Linkable Epoxy

Hybrid Composite Latexes

Cross-Linked Acrylate Microspheres for Solvent Absorption by SPG Technique

Index