Combining Inkjet Printing with Emulsion Solvent Evaporation to Pattern Polymeric Particles
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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Inkjet-printed Polyvinyl Alcohol Multilayers
Published on: May 11, 2017
Renhua Deng1, Lisong Yang1, Colin D Bain1
1Department of Chemistry , Durham University , Stockton Road , Durham DH1 3LE , U.K.
Abstract:
We demonstrate a concept to produce deposits of polymer in the form of particles by inkjet printing an emulsion in which the discrete phase evaporates preferentially. An oil/water emulsion with polymer contained inside the oil phase is used as ink for printing. Circular deposits of spherical polymer particles with uniform thickness are obtained. The effects of the hydrophobicity of substrates and the physical properties of the oil on the morphology of the deposits are explored. The deposit of aggregated polymeric particles can be transformed into a uniform film by annealing if required. This strategy for the patterning of polymer materials in the form of either particles or a film works for mixtures of polymers and functional cargoes.
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