First use of NMR diffusometry for the determination of core size distributions in core-shell latex films

Latex films cast from core-shell particles were characterised for the first time using restricted diffusion measurements obtained with a five-pulse steady-gradient stimulated echo (SGSE) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique in which all nuclear spin relaxation losses were kept constant. The latex particles, which were made via miniemulsion polymerization, consist of an acrylic shell and a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) core. It was found that the particle core remains intact after film formation. The average sizes and distributions of the PDMS phases were determined. Unlike various microscopies, NMR diffusometry provides a powerful means for obtaining quantitative information about the average microstructure in an entire film. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljp.v10i0.3832 Sri Lanka Journal of Physics, Vol. 10 (2009) 17-24