Encapsulation of Gibbsite platelets with free radical and controlled radical emulsion polymerization approaches, a small review

Water-borne anisotropic polymer-Gibbsite latex particles were prepared by a conventional and an atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) based starved-feed emulsion polymerisation without any chemical modification of the platelet surface. Anionic co-oligomers, synthesised via ATRP, were used in both approaches. In the conventional-based route charged co-oligomer acted as stabiliser for the initial platelets and the latex particles formed. In case of an ATRP-based approach the co-oligomer not only served as stabiliser, but also as a macroinitiator for Activator ReGenerated by Electron Transfer (ARGET) ATRP-based starved-feed emulsion polymerisation. Cryo-TEM characterization of the resulting nanocomposites showed successfully encapsulated platelets in the conventional-based approach and a “muffin-like” morphology in the ATRP-based one.