This volume is comprised of most of the papers presented at a symposium held in Miami Beach during the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in September, 1978. In a sense, it is a sequel to the first ACS symposium held on this topic and published under the title "Polymer Colloids" in 1971 by Plenum Press. That volume contained 12 papers, whereas "Polymer Colloids II" contains 33, an indication of the magnitude of the growth of the field in less than a decade. Increased sophistication probably best characterizes the changes which have taken place, especially in the realm of instru mentation. Ten years ago techniques such as quasielastic light scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS - also known as ESCA), ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), ultrasonic absorption spectroscopy and hydrodynamic exclusion chromatography (REC) were unavailable to the polymer colloid chemist. Recent advances in all of these methods are described in this volume. Although the book deals primarily with "synthetic latexes" or "emulsion polymers" as colloids, there are a number of papers which deal with their synthesis: particle nucleation in emulsion polymer ization, the synthesis of emulsifier-free polymer colloids using novel reagents, molecular weight distributions derived from the kinetics of emulsion polymerization, and anionically polymerized non-aqueous polymer colloids. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the swelling of latex particles by monomers is also dealt with here."

Future Directions In Polymer Colloids Hohamed S. EI-Aasser, and Robert H. Fitch (editors) It is appropriate that the first NATO-Advanced Research Workshop on "FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN POLYMER COLLOIDS" was held approximately fifty years after the first synthetic polymer latexes were made on a commercial scale during the mid-1930s. Since that time the field of what is now known as polymer colloids has been evolving rapidly, not only on the practical level, but also on the scientific and engineering levels. Billions of pounds of copolymers are manufactured annually by means of the emulsion polymerization process. "Commodity" polymers as well "specialty" polymers are prepared today for use in a wide variety of applications: synthetic rubber, floor coatings, paints, adhesives, binders for non-woven fabrics, high-impact polymers latex foam, additives for construction materials such as cement and concrete, and rheological modifiers. They are also used in numerous biomedical applications: such as diagnostic tests, immunoassays, biological cell-labeling, (identi fication and separation), and drug delivery systems. Small quantities of monodisperse polymer colloids are used as size calibration standards and find extensive use as model colloids to test theories in colloids surface and rheological studies. Advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of the emulsion polymerization process as well as the stability of polymer colloids. Equal advances were made in engineering areas related to polymer colloids, e. g. modeling of batch, semi-continuous and continuous emulsion polymerization and copolymer ization processes."

Finally! An authoritative, comprehensive textbook in this commercially and academically important field. Billions of kilograms of polymers are manufactured annually in the form of polymer colloids. Thousands of researchers work with them in a host of applications, from water-borne latex paints to cancer chemotherapeutics, but until now there was been no adequate introductory text.
This book provides a solid development of the fundamentals to the field of colloid science with a solid development of the fundamentals of polymer colloids, emulsion, polymerization, latex technology, and the applications of functional latexes in catalysis, medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Fitch, who has been called the Benjamin Spock of Polymer Colloids, bases his approach to a complex field is based on his 40+ years of experience in industrial and academic research and development. His approach makes it easy to understand and be able to work effectively in this fascinating field.
Students and professionals will find "Polymer Colloids: A Comprehensive Introduction" an important resource in gaining a working understanding of polymer colloids, enabling them to carry out their own research and/or development.
Key Features
* Contains many detailed figures and references
* Includes new, current references
* Provides the clarity and insight that can only be found from the author's 40+ years of experience in the field
* Covers the material in an easy-to-understand and entertaining manner