Research progress on the preparation and application of monodisperse cationic polymer latex particles

This review is focused on the features, preparation and applications of uniform cationic polymer latex particles, as well as on the formation mechanism of uniform latex particles. Substantial progress in the size and shape control of polymer latex particles has been made using several methods such as dispersion polymerization, conventional emulsion polymerization, surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization and seeded emulsion polymerization. Uniform cationic polymer latex particles have wide applications such as drug carriers, diagnostics, templates and additives. However, two major problems are the inhomogeneous size and low surface charge density, which limit further functionalization and the application of cationic polymer latex particles. Finally, the future trends and perspectives are described. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry This review focuses on the features, preparation and applications of uniform cationic polymer microspheres, as well as on the formation mechanism of uniform microspheres.