Colloid formation nonionic polymers

Colloid Formation. Several platinum colloids prepared by the alcohol reduction method are listed in Tables I (nonionic polymers) and II (cationic polyelectrolytes). Examples of particles diameters as determined by TEM are given in Table m. In all cases colloids were formed, and most were stable for several weeks, even months. The TEM investigations showed that the particles were in most cases evenly distributed and about 1 - 5 nm in diameter. Depending on the polymer, a range of particle sizes and narrow size distributions were obtained. 

The condensation method begins with molecular units, and the particles are built-up by a process of nucleation typical example is the preparation of polymer lattices, in which case the monomer (e.g., styrene or methylmethacrylate) is emulsified in water using an anionic or nonionic surfactant (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulphate or alcohol ethoxylate). A polymeric surfactant is also added to ensure the long-term colloid stabiHty of the resulting latex. An initiator such as potassium persulphate is then added and, when the temperature of the system has increased, initiation occurs that results in formation of the latex [polystyrene or poly(methylmethacrylate)]. 

Auxiliaries. Dispersants ensure that the individual particles in the emulsion paint do not combine to form agglomerates. Protective colloids and emulsifiers are used during emulsion polymerization to ensure that small polymer spheres are formed in the aqueous phase but do not fuse together. They influence film formation of the emulsion paint and can cause foaming. Protective colloids include polyfvinyl alcohols) and cellulose ethers. Emulsifiers include anionic and nonionic surfactants. 

A foam is a dispersion of a gas in a liquid or a solid. The formation of foam relies on the surface activity of the surfactants, polymers, proteins, and colloidal particles to stabilize the interface. Thus, the foamability increases with increasing surfactant concentration up to critical micelle concentration because above critical micelle concentration, the unimer concentration in the bulk r ains nearly constant. The structure and molecular architecture of the foam is known to influence foam-ability and its stability. The packing properties at the interface are not excellent for very hydrophilic or very hydrophobic drug. The surfactant promoting a small spontaneous curvature at interface is ideal for foams. Nonionic surfactants are the most commonly used one. The main advantage with foams is its site-specific delivery and multiple dosing of the drug. ... 

Based on this same general idea, colloidal dispersions of nanocomposite particles made from silica cores and polymeric overlayers have been successfully prepared using appropriate cationic radical initiators, as described in a recent Japanese patent [100]. Recently, Luna-Xavier et al. also demonstrated the successful formation of nanosize siHca/PMMA composite colloids using AIB A as cationic initiator and a nonionic polyoxyethylenic surfactant (NP30) [63,91,101]. Composite particles made from silica beads surrounded by small heterocoagulated PMMA latexes or a thin polymer layer were produced, depending on the size of the silica beads (Fig. 4.11). 

The thermodynamic equilibria of amphiphilic molecules in solution involve four fundamental processes (1) dissolution of amphiphiles into solution (2) aggregation of dissolved amphiphiles (3) adsorption of dissolved amphiphiles at an interface and (4) spreading of amphiphiles from their bulk phase directly to the interface (Fig. 1.1). All but the last of these processes are presented and discussed throughout this book from the thermodynamic standpoint (especially from that of Gibbs s phase rule), and the type of thermodynamic treatment that should be adopted for each is clarified. These discussions are conducted from a theoretical point of view centered on dilute aqueous solutions the solutions dealt with are mostly those of the ionic surfactants with which the author s studies have been concerned. The theoretical treatment of ionic surfactants can easily be adapted to nonionic surfactants. The author has also concentrated on recent applications of micelles, such as solubilization into micelles, mixed micelle formation, micellar catalysis, the protochemical mechanisms of the micellar systems, and the interaction between amphiphiles and polymers. Fortunately, almost all of these subjects have been his primary research interests, and therefore this book covers, in many respects, the fundamental treatment of colloidal systems. 

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