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“Solid Emulsion”: Gas‐Switchable Latex System with Reversible Coagulability and Redispersibility
Author(s) -
Fang Tommy,
Wan Zhengyi,
Huo Meng,
Yuan Jinying
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced sustainable systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.499
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2366-7486
DOI - 10.1002/adsu.201700051
Subject(s) - emulsion , copolymer , chemical engineering , monomer , pulmonary surfactant , emulsion polymerization , materials science , polymer , particle size , composite material , engineering
The ability to reversibly switch between latex solution and dried powder can potentially provide major economic and environmental benefits to emulsion related industries, especially in the substantial reduction of energy consumption and cost from the transportation and handling of latex water content. Here, a versatile CO 2 /N 2 ‐switchable latex system with high reversibility is developed by combining a CO 2 ‐responsive polymeric surfactant and a CO 2 ‐responsive initiator. In particular, the coagulability from latexes to dried powder and redispersibility back to solution form are systematically examined, showing minimal changes in the recovered latex particle size, distribution, morphology, and ζ‐potential for powder samples both freshly dried and after three months storage under ambient conditions. Hence, such a gas‐switchable “solid emulsion” system with long‐term storage stability and versatility in emulsion copolymerization monomer selection can potentially make significant industrial contribution and advancement.