Forming Sticky Droplets from Slippery Polymer Zwitterions

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 29; no. 38
• Main Authors: Letteri, Rachel A., Santa Chalarca, Cristiam F., Bai, Ying, Hayward, Ryan C., Emrick, Todd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Adhesion; adhesive emulsions; Coalescing; Droplets; Emulsions; Gelation; High temperature; Polymers; stimuli‐responsive materials; zwitterionic polymers; Zwitterions; zwitterionic polymers; adhesive emulsions; stimuli-responsive materials

Polymer zwitterions are generally regarded as hydrophilic and repellant or “slippery” materials. Here, a case is described in which the polymer zwitterion structure is tailored to decrease water solubility, stabilize emulsion droplets, and promote interdroplet adhesion. Harnessing the upper critical...