Nanostructured latex films from poly(butyl methacrylate) latex cross-linked with poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) triblock macro-cross-linker

Biphasic polymer latexes were synthesized by a seeded swelling and polymerization method. The latexes were composed of a poly(butyl methacrylate) core and a poly(ethylene oxide) rich shell cross-linked with poly(ethylene oxide)-poly (propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock diol diacrylate macro-cross-linker. Nanostructured films were obtained by annealing the biphasic polymer latexes at a temperature between the glass-transition temperatures of the core latex and the cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) based shell. Atomic force microscope images of the latex film revealed that the poly(butyl methacrylate) core phase is confined in the poly(ethylene oxide)-rich continuous phase with the form of separate nanosized spheres.