Metallic latex particles

It is important to note that in addition to microporous solids, other chemical systems have been used to template the growth of nanomaterials. For example, emulsions have been used to pattern both the pores in titania [14] and the packing of latex particles [46]. Reversed micelles have also been used as patterning agents. Examples include the syntheses of super-paramagnetic ferrite nanoparticles [15] and BaC03 nanowires [47]. Finally, carbon nanotubules have also been used as templates [16,48,49]. A variety of nanomaterials including metal oxides [16,48,49] and GaN have been synthesized inside such tubules [50]. 

Many materials exist that have dimensions in the range of 1 rnn to several micrometers. Recall that colloidal particles (e.g., latex particles from emulsion polymerization, colloidal silica or alumina, etc.) fall in the range from about 10 nm to 1000 nm (1 jxm). A few examples of nanoparticles that are designed with more specific structures or geometries include carbon nanotubes, metal clusters, nanoscale magnetic crystals, and semiconducting ... 

Nanoparticles consisting of noble metals have recently attracted much attention because such particles exhibit properties differing strongly from the properties of the bulk metal [1,2], Thus, such nanoparticles are interesting for their application as catalysts [3-5], sensors [6, 7], and in electronics. However, the metallic nanoparticles must be stabilized in solution to prevent aggregation. In principle, suitable carrier systems, such as microgels [8-11], dendrimers [12, 13], block copolymer micelles [14], and latex particles [15, 16], may be used as a nanoreactors in which the metal nanoparticles can be immobilized and used for the purpose at hand. 

Armes et al. [49] have reported the use of pH-responsive microgels based solely on 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEA) as colloidal templates for the in situ synthesis of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs). The swollen microgels can be used as nanoreactors efficient impregnation with PtNPs can be achieved by incorporating precursor platinum compounds, followed by metal reduction. Addition of platinic acid, H2PtCl6, to the latex particles causes the protonation of the tertiary amine... 

While no real labels meet all of these needs, the properties of some of the more recently introduced labelling systems are approaching the ideal. Radioisotopes, once the only type of label used for immunoassays, have clearly been overwhelmed by current applications of fluorescent labeling methods, enzyme labels, and even coenzyme and prosthetic group labels. A variety of alternative labels has also been investigated, including red blood cells, latex particles, viruses, metals, and free radicals. Table 6.1 shows a representative listing of labels used in modem immunoassays.1... 

By varying the reactors (glass or metal reactors) and emulsifiers (cation-active or anion-active emulsifiers) after polymerization it is possible to obtain systems in the following forms a latex, a separated polymer layer attached to the reactor walls, or a power-a thin polymer layer on metal. This variation is probably due to the recharging of latex particles caused by ionizing radiation. It is preferable to use enameled metal reactors. 

Note that in calculating A for sterically stabilized systems, allowance must be made not only for the intervening dispersion medium between the particles but also for the presence of any adsorbed layers (Vincent, 1973b). A is typically of order kT for latex particles, although it can be substantially larger for dispersions of metals or for inorganic sols (Gregory, 1970 Visser, 1972). 

There are many unique polymerization processes which share a conunon heritage with emulsion polymerization, but which often are unrecognized as such. It is the purpose of this review to describe some of these emulsion polymerization-like processes and their products. Some further definition is in order unconventional emulsion polymerizations can be described as those processes whereby the product is a polymer latex that physically resembles latex from emulsion polymerization and cannot be grouped into any other recognized form of heterogeneous polymerization. In many cases the reasons why a process is not recognized as an emulsion polymerization is that the polymerization is not via a free-radical process. This review (hscusses four distinct types of polymerization processes, all of which have examples that produce latex particles and in many ways can be described as unconventional emulsion polymerizations. These are free-radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, transition metal catalyzed polymerization and enzyme-catalyzed polymerization. The precise systems discussed in this review are described in Table 23.1. 

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