Lyophobic colloids polymeric stabilization

The stability of latexes during and after polymerization may be assessed at least qualitatively by the theoretical relationships describing the stability of lyophobic colloids. The Verwey-Overbeek theory (2) combines the electrostatic forces of repulsion between colloidal particles with the London-van der Waals forces of attraction. The electrostatic forces of repulsion arise from the surface charge, e.g., from adsorbed emulsifier ions, surface sulfate endgroups introduced by persulfate initiator, or ionic groups introduced by using functional monomers. These electro-... 

There are two methods of stabilization of lyophobic colloids electrostatic and polymeric. Electrostatic stabilization results from charge-charge repulsion, as discussed previously. Polymeric stabilization is achieved by the adsorption of macromolecules (lyophilic colloids) at the surface of a lyophobic colloid. Macromolecules of at least a few thousand molecular weight are required, as they must extend in space over... 

In conclusion, the way polymers influence the stability of lyophobic colloids is far more complicated than the way low molecular weight electrolytes do. Whether polymers stabilize or destabilize, the dispersion is delicately determined by properties and composition of the system (adsorption affinity, solvent quality, particle size, degree of polymerization, charge densities on the particle and the polymer, particle-polymer ratio, ionic strength, presence of divalent ions, and so on) and external conditions, such as the temperature. 

Electrically stabihzed colloidal dispersions are very sensitive to the addition of electrolytes. If the concentration of ions in the solution increases, decreases as a result of both entropic and electrical screening effects, leading to a reduction in the repulsive potential. On the other hand, colloid particles dispersed in organic media (low dielectric constant) cannot be effectively stabilized by charges because is extremely short. In these cases, steric stabilization is recommended. Steric stabihzation is imparted by nonionic amphiphilic molecules (usually polymeric molecules). The lyophobic moiety will adsorb onto the surface of the colloidal particles, while its lyophilic moiety will be extended in the continuous phase. When two sterically stabihzed particles approach each other, the concentration of the lyophilic segments in the portion of the continuous phase between the particles is increased. This higher local concentration results in an osmotic pressure that... 

In this paper we review principles relevant to colloids in supercritical fluids colloids in liquids are discussed elsewhere [24]. Thermodynamically unstable emulsions and latexes in CO2 require some form of stabilization to maintain particle dispersion and prevent flocculation. Flocculation may be caused by interparticle van der Waals dispersion forces (Hamaker forces). In many of the applications mentioned above, flocculation of the dispersed phase is prevented via steric stabilization with surfactants, in many cases polymeric surfactants. When stabilized particles collide, polymers attached to the surface impart a repulsive force, due to the entropy lost when the polymer tails overlap. The solvent in the interface between the particles also affects the sign and range of the interaction force, and the effect of solvent is particularly important for highly compressible supercritical solvents. Since the dielectric constant of supercritical CO2 and alkanes is low, electrostatic stabilization is not feasible [24] and is not discussed here. For lyophobic emulsion and latex particles (-1 xm), the repulsive... 

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