PEO-Covered Nanoparticles by Emulsion Inversion Point (EIP) Method

This study reports the first PEO‐coated polymer nanoparticles synthesis by miniemulsion polymerization of nano‐emulsions prepared by the low‐energy emulsification method called EIP. The surfactant used was Brij 98, a PEO based non ionic commercial surfactant. The partial phase diagram of the system water/Brij 98/styrene was first determined. The Emulsion Inversion Point technique was then used on the water/Brij 98/styrene system to the formation of styrene‐in‐water nano‐emulsions. After miniemulsion polymerization, particle sizes as low as 36 nm were obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this method had not been used for polymerizable system up to now. This study reports the first PEO‐coated polymer nanoparticles synthesis by miniemulsion polymerization of nano‐emulsions prepared by the low‐energy emulsification method called EIP. The Emulsion Inversion Point technique was used on the water/Brij 98/styrene system for the formation of styrene‐in‐water nano‐emulsions. After miniemulsion polymerization, particle sizes as low as 36 nm were obtained.