Polymerizations with Particles at Fluid-Fluid Interfaces

When emulsions are combined with polymerization strategies, architected materials can be prepared, including foams by polymerization of the continuous phase, particles by polymerization of the discontinuous phase, and capsules by interfacial polymerization. The use of solid particles as emulsion stabilizers offers an intriguing opportunity to not only tailor the composition of the emulsion by controlling particle wettability, but also to integrate the particles into the structures that are produced. This presentation will highlight the use of 2D particles as surfactants to produce: (i) Janus particles by grafting from polymerization on one face of the nanosheets, (ii) nanosheet-armored polymer particles by polymerization of the droplets, (iii) porous foams coated with nanosheets by polymerization of the continuous phase, and (iv) capsules by interfacial polymerization. The impact and potential of controlling both composition and architecture on performance-related properties will be briefly addressed.