Emulsion Polymerization and Encapsulation of Micro and Nanoparticles within Polymer Droplets

Abstract

Among various polymerization techniques, the hetero-phase polymerization system,
especially the mini-emulsion polymerization technique, is widely used for manufacturing
polymeric products of special design and controlled morphology. In this paper, encapsulated
micro and nano-particles with core particles made of pigments, silica, clay, drugs, magnetic,
enzymes and even biomaterials encapsulated within the synthesized or natural polymeric shells,
are presented. Recent research work with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of
each technique is described for the encapsulation of core materials within polymer shells of
different morphology. Physico-chemical processes, physico-mechanical processes and chemical
processes which are typical in hetero-phase polymerization techniques are also explained and a
general comparison between them is highlighted.