Probing the morphology evolution of chemically anisotropic colloids prepared by homopolymerization- and copolymerization-induced phase separation

Abstract

We systematically probe the morphology evolution of chemically anisotropic colloids prepared by homopolymerization- and copolymerization-induced phase separation during seeded emulsion polymerization using non-crosslinked seeds. Selective dissolution of one phase reveals the extension of patchy-Janus surface properties into the colloid interior. Incorporating a comonomer in the seeded emulsion changes the progression of phase separation resulting in different internal morphologies. Varying the monomer feed composition and concentration controls the morphology of kinetically-trapped internal microdomains and produces composite particles that can serve as templates for porous colloids. Examination of the morphological evolution illuminates fundamental principles dictating phase separation and its impact on the global particle morphology while also generating opportunities to exploit both surface and interior properties.