title: An overview of polymer latex film formation and properties.
abstract: The literature on polymer latex film formation has grown enormously in recent times--driven by the need to find alternatives for solvent-based systems with their adverse environmental impacts. Although greater insight has been shown by the use of modern instrumental techniques such as small angle neutron scattering, direct non-radiative energy transfer and atomic force microscopy, the actual mechanisms involved in deforming spherical particles into void-free films are still the subject of controversy and debate. Surfactant-free homopolymer model colloid latices, favoured in academic studies, together with latices containing surfactants whose redistribution can influence film properties, and the more complex copolymer, blended, core-shell and pigmented systems needed to satisfy a full range of film properties are all considered.
authors.affiliation: Nottingham Trent University, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hearn
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry*; D008433:Mathematics; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D010968:Plasticizers; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water