Advances in reactive polymeric surfactants for interface modification

Continued development of up-to-date polymer composite materials demands the design of certain interfacial layers in composite structure. The aim of this paper was to review recent advances in the synthesis of reactive polymeric surfactants (RPSs) and the application of 14 different RPSs for the modification of the interface in aqueous dispersions of polymers, reinforced polymer-based composites, and polymer blends. The activation (peroxidation) of planar polymer surfaces with RPSs for their further modification in order to impart specific surface properties was discussed as well. In the paper method of compatibilization of the blends of thermodynamically immiscible polymers through the formation in situ of a universal compatibilizer based on RPS was introduced. Finally, the features of the RPS macromolecules' adsorption on the surface of latex particles, inorganic filler particles, and planar polymer surfaces along with the formation of adsorbed reactive polymer layers are discussed.