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This project was done in collaboration with J.M. Asua, POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country, Spain.

We present a novel mathematical model for the dynamic modelling of the latex particles with in situ formation of graft copolymer [1]. With this model we can control the particle morphology, which opens the possibility of a knowledge-based design and synthesis of materials for a wide range of applications including synthetic rubber, paints, adhesives, additives in paper and textiles, leather treatment, impact modifiers for plastic matrices, additives for constructing materials, cosmetics, flocculants, diagnostics tests and drug delivery.

The morphologies shown here are core-shell (Videos 1 and 2) and hemispheres (Video 3).

[1] Akhmatskaya E., Asua J. M., Dynamic modeling of the morphology of latex particles with in situ formation of graft copolymer, Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, in press