Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites
Published on: February 6, 2016
High solids content, soap-free, film-forming latexes stabilized by laponite clay platelets
Elodie Bourgeat-Lami1, Thiago Rodrigues Guimarães, Ana Maria Cenacchi Pereira
1Université de Lyon, University Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5265, Laboratoire de Chimie, Catalyse, Polymères et Procédés (C2P2), LCPP group, 43, Bd. du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69616 Villeurbanne, France. bourgeat@lcpp.cpe.fr.
Abstract:
High solids content film-forming poly[styrene-co-(n-butyl acrylate)] [poly(Sty-co-BuA)] latexes armored with Laponite clay platelets have been synthesized by soap-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and n-butyl acrylate. The polymerizations were performed in batch in the presence of Laponite and a methyl ether acrylate-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomer in order to promote polymer/clay association. The overall polymerization kinetics showed a pronounced effect of clay on nucleation and stabilization of the latex particles. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy observation confirmed the armored morphology and indicated that the majority of Laponite platelets were located at the particle surface. The resulting nanostructured films displayed enhanced mechanical properties.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Colloids
Surface Active Agents

