Membrane emulsification - A versatile tool for the synthesis of polymeric microspheres

Abstract

A new emulsification technique by using a particular glass membrane was introduced. The membrane, having a narrow pore size distribution, produced fairly monodisperse oil droplets by carefully pushing the oil phase through the pore to an aqueous solution of stabilizers. Subsequent suspension polymerization of the monomer droplets or evaporation of solvent from the polymer solution yielded uniform polymer particles. Magnetite microcapsules and hybrid polymer particles including inert substances for polymerization were also prepared by this unique emulsification.